Amid all of the buzz about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, there is reportedly some concern around the NBA about the idea of giving the two-time MVP a long-term contract extension. <\/p>\n
On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast<\/a> (starts at 23:30 mark), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained that one team with the ability to put together a “pretty compelling” trade offer for Antetokounmpo said that they “are not crazy” about the idea of having to extend him for the max amount. <\/p>\n Antetokounmpo, who is signed through next season and has a player option for 2027-28, is eligible for a four-year, $275 million<\/a> extension on Oct. 1. <\/p>\n The concern might stem from Antetokounmpo’s recent history of calf injuries. He recently suffered a strained calf during the Milwaukee Bucks’ 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 23. <\/p>\n Antetokounmpo missed eight games in December due to a calf strain. He also missed time in February 2025 due to a calf injury that the Bucks originally listed<\/a> as tightness before changing the designation to a strain. <\/p>\n A four-year extension would take Antetokounmpo through at least his age-35 season. He has never suffered a major injury that kept him out for multiple months or a full season, but the physical ailments have started piling up in recent years. <\/p>\n This season will mark the sixth time in seven years that Antetokounmpo has played fewer than 70 games. There’s no official timeline for him to return from this latest calf injury, but he has suggested<\/a> a four-to-six week absence. <\/p>\n If that timeframe holds, Antetokounmpo could end up playing fewer than 60 games in a season for the first time in his career. He is currently at 30 starts with 36 games remaining for the Bucks. <\/p>\n