Brian Windhorst: Giannis Asked to Be Traded Before the Season
Report: Giannis wanted out before the campaign
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo asked to be traded before the season started. According to Windhorst, Giannis expressed interest in exploring other teams and even indicated a preference to land in New York, prompting the Bucks to reach out to the Knicks about potential offers.
Although Giannis ultimately stayed with Milwaukee when the season began, this revelation adds fuel to ongoing questions about his satisfaction with the organization and where he sees his future.
Team struggles, roster turnover and Giannis’ production
It’s not hard to see why Giannis might be frustrated. The Bucks, the team that drafted him in 2013, have only managed one playoff series win since their 2021 title. A fair bit of roster turnover and the loss of key contributors in recent seasons have left the supporting cast thinner than many expected.
This season hasn’t gone smoothly either. Milwaukee sits under .500 and has dropped the majority of its recent games, slipping out of immediate play-in contention and raising doubts about the club’s short-term trajectory. Even with occasional shooting efficiency in certain areas, the team’s results haven’t matched expectations.
On an individual level, Giannis remains elite, putting up star numbers — averaging roughly 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game — which shows he’s still carrying a major load for the Bucks.
For now, the situation is fluid. Whether this reported trade request leads to concrete moves or simply sparks conversations between teams and the player will be one of the season’s storylines to watch.
