NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo bracing for Bucks exit

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly preparing to say farewell to the team as the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, ESPN reported Wednesday.

According to the report, multiple teams have made “aggressive offers” for the two-time league MVP, and the Bucks are beginning to listen. League sources confirmed to ESPN that Antetokounmpo, 31, has been signaling for months that he is ready to move on after more than 12 seasons with Milwaukee.

The Bucks fell to 18-27 following a 139-122 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday and appear on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Antetokounmpo, who is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks due to a right calf strain suffered last Friday, is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 30 starts this season.

A nine-time All-Star, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021. He also holds the franchise records for games played (889), points (21,377), rebounds (8,831), assists (4,456), and blocked shots (1,086).

—Field Level Media/Reuters