Giannis Antetokounmpo needs to leave the Bucks amid booing controversy, says former All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When Bucks fans booed their team, Giannis Antetokounmpo booed back.

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Antetokounmpo and the Bucks faced a 31-point halftime deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, and Milwaukee fans serenaded the hometown team with boos as they walked back to the locker room.

After an and-one to begin the third quarter, Antetokounmpo loudly booed the fans, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the Bucks as they remain outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to being booed by Bucks fans at home

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The Bucks eventually lost, 139-106, and fell to 17-23 on the season. And even though Antetokounmpo only recently said he would never ask for a trade out of Milwaukee, former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague thinks the Greek Freak is going to reconsider.

“Free Giannis,” Teague said on the Club 520 podcast, while co-host Bishop Henn said “don’t ever f— boo me.”

Trade rumors around Antetokounmpo have persisted for months, ever since the New York Knicks held unsuccessful negotiations to acquire the two-time NBA MVP last summer.

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Antetokounmpo has tried to shut down the chatter. But the nine-time All-Star wants to win another championship — and if the season ended today, the Bucks wouldn’t even qualify for the Play-in Tournament in the East.

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