Bucks Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be Traded if he Declines Extension

This offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to decide whether or not to sign the supermax extension. But if he doesn’t, don’t expect the Milwaukee Bucks to trade him.

As the Milwaukee Bucks enter what may be the most important offseason in franchise history, the biggest overhanging question is whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo will sign his supermax contract extension in the coming months.

Antetokounmpo has one-year remaining on his current deal, but the Bucks can offer him a five-year deal worth more than $220 million once the NBA’s free agency period begins. However, there is the very real possibility that Antetokounmpo could decline that offer and see how his final season in Milwaukee plays out before making a decision on whether or not to stay.

So as you can imagine, speculation is running rampant as many wonder if the Bucks would trade the two-time MVP this offseason if he did decide to pass on the supermax contract in an attempt for Milwaukee to get some assets in return rather than Antetokounmpo potentially leaving them in free agency with nothing.

And while that is certainly a hot topic of conversation as fans of opposing dreams conjure up ways to get Antetokounmpo out of Milwaukee, Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that the Bucks won’t be trading their superstar if he doesn’t sign his extension:

"“Multiple sources have emphatically said Milwaukee will not look to trade Antetokounmpo if he passes on the extension. Instead, the Bucks will try to improve their roster and use the next year to show Antetokounmpo why he should stay.”"

Truthfully, this news shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. Throughout his career, Giannis has expressed a strong desire to bring a championship to Milwaukee and that he wants to spend his career here. Even telling reporters at Yahoo Sports after the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs that a trade demand is “not happening.” And sure, maybe I’m looking through rose-colored glasses at this situation, but at this point, nothing has taken place for us to not believe Giannis.

Also, from the Bucks’ perspective, while there may be a universe out there where Antetokounmpo does head elsewhere in free agency next offseason, when an organization like Milwaukee has a generational player, they need to do everything in their power to keep him; not trade him away.

Whether on the court or in the front office, playing scared never did anyone any good.

Now, having said all of that, as Bontemps points out in his article, Antetokounmpo could decline the extension because that does give him added leverage. It could very well force Milwaukee to be more aggressive in upgrading their roster and lead them into the luxury tax. So fans shouldn’t be shocked if that happens, but remember, it’s not all doom and gloom either.

Giannis is all about winning, and despite some disappointing finishes the past two seasons, this is a highly competitive Bucks team with championship aspirations. And they have another opportunity in front of them to show Antetkounmpo that they’ll do whatever it takes to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy to the Cream City.

It’s going to be a busy offseason for the Milwaukee Bucks. We’ve already heard rumors surrounding an Eric Bledsoe trade, a move for Chris Paul, and also that they are very interested in Bogdan Bogdanovic. However, the Bucks trading Giannis away isn’t something to be concerned about.