The Milwaukee Bucks have yet to announce a firm timetable for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to action. The former back-to-back NBA MVP has been out of commission for the past week due to a calf injury.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said on Dec. 5 that he expects Antetokounmpo’s recovery to last up to four weeks, which means that Milwaukee will continue to be without its cornerstone superstar for the foreseeable future.
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Antetokounmpo’s injury has come amid reports of the nine-time All-Star wanting out of Milwaukee. Multiple teams have already been linked to the former Defensive Player of the Year if he ends up leaving the Bucks, who, for their part, have reportedly made their stance on the matter very clear.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during an NBA game. © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo is still under contract with the Bucks through 2028, although he does have a player option on the final year of his deal. The 31-year-old signed a max extension with Milwaukee in 2023 worth $186 million for three years. In the final season of his current contract, Antetokounmpo is expected to pocket $62.8 million.
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If the trade rumors are true, however, Antetokounmpo might not see out his deal with the Bucks. Reports have indicated that he wants to be traded, with the New York Knicks identified as a potential landing spot for the nine-time All-NBA forward.
A new report surfaced on Friday about Antetokounmpo’s current standing with the Bucks. According to senior NBA reporter Marc Stein, Milwaukee has rejected all inquiries from opposing teams with regard to Antetokounmpo’s availability in the trade market.
“Teams are calling the Bucks and the Bucks, at this point, keep telling teams he’s not available. We’re not trading him,” Stein said. “The only way there’s really going to be a Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes [is if] Giannis himself has to go to the Bucks and say I want out. He has to firmly say it. And that has not happened.
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“They’ve danced around it. They danced around it in the summertime. But the Bucks do not want to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, and until he makes it untenable for them for him to stay, and he has not done that yet.”
While Stein did confirm that there is significant interest in Antetokounmpo from multiple teams, he also indicated that the 6-foot-11 forward has not requested a trade. According to Stein, the Bucks are more than happy to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee for as long as he desires.
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The Bucks are 11-15 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a 116-101 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday and will be looking to make it back-to-back victories on Sunday against the 6-18 Brooklyn Nets.
Related: New Giannis Antetokounmpo Report Strongly Denied by Bucks Teammates
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.