Giannis Wants Return To Play With Bucks Brothers

Merlin sees Milwaukee’s late-season drama: Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo got minutes while Giannis is pushing to return before the regular season ends, even as the NBA probes how the Bucks handled his injury status. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports "Giannis is trying to ramp up this week" and that "he does want to play with his brothers," while the Bucks prefer a shutdown and the team is already out of playoff contention. The plot thickens with competing accounts. The Bucks say they approved three-on-three work for his return, Giannis says the team never asked him to do that, and the NBPA has publicly criticized the league’s handling. Merlin smells a trust fracture that could shape roster moves and Giannis’ future under his contract through 2026-27.