After the Milwaukee Bucks’ disappointing exit in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future has become one of the hottest topics among fans heading into the offseason.
Antetokounmpo’s Bucks were unable to overcome the devastating injury to point guard Damian Lillard, dropping their Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1 to the Indiana Pacers.
At 30 years old, the Greek Freak is still in the prime of his career and has two seasons left on his three-year, $175 million contract in Milwaukee.
In years past, the idea of a small market team trading a perennial MVP candidate in that situation was unthinkable — but Luka Doncic’s seismic deadline move from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers has reset the NBA trade market.
As trade rumors swirl, the Bucks star made a post on Instagram Sunday night that had fans believing he has made a decision on his next move.
In his first original post since the Bucks’ playoff exit, Antetokounmpo uploaded a photo with his head bowed in Milwaukee’s warm up shirts that said “Win for Cream City.”
The words on the shirt combined with his cryptic caption of a prayer hands emoji and a saluting emoji to create a message that his followers could not help but read into.
View this post on Instagram
“What does the caption mean bro,” said a baffled fan, who got answers from the other replies.
“HE IS GONE,” proclaimed one of the top comments under the post.
“Buddy’s long gone,” echoed another.
“I know you and that means I know you ain’t leaving Milwaukee like that,” one fan differed.
“He’s staying,” said a convinced follower.
“sus caption bro,” replied one user.
Fans of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and the Chicago Bulls in the comments all clamored for the services of the two-time MVP and 2021 NBA Finals champion.
Plenty of Bucks fans begged their franchise player to stay and see out his partnership with Lillard, with whom Antetokounmpo has only played two full playoff games in two seasons.
According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, possible trade partners with the assets to acquire Giannis include the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, the Brooklyn Nets, or the “obvious candidate” — the Houston Rockets.
Related: Giannis Trade Idea Sends Bucks Star to ‘Obvious’ West Contender
Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Wife Makes Major Personal Announcement Days After Bucks’ Playoff Exit
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