Anyone knocking Giannis Antetokounmpo for playoff failures hasn’t paid much attention to the NBA since the “Greek Freak” debuted during the 2013-14 season. Antetokounmpo helped change the culture, after coming to a Milwaukee franchise that hadn’t won a championship since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks up the NBA standings and to a championship in the early 1970s
Since the Greek Freak debuted, the Bucks have only missed the playoffs once. And the team won the 2020-21 NBA Finals by beating the Pheonix Suns in six games. While the Bucks’ most recent season ended in disappointment, Antetokounmpo and fellow star Khris Middleton were both on the NBA injury report for the Bucks. Both played in the postseason but were limited by their injuries.
With a few recent playoff disappointments, there are now Giannis Antetokounmpo odds on where he will play when his contract ends.
Here’s a look at his status and what the Milwaukee star may consider:
Milwaukee will be ready for major changes
Looking at the roster, NBA team stats show Milwaukee is set for a major change. The Bucks have 11 pending free agents following this season and could possibly have another key piece on the list. Middleton, who was limited to 33 games last season due to various injuries, could join them on the list if he declines his player option.
The Bucks have also been helping their Giannis Antetokounmpo odds by keeping his brother, Thanasis, on the roster. Many NBA observers believe Thanasis, who played two games for the Knicks in the 2015-16 season before spending several years out of the league, is only still employed because of his brother’s request.
How will new coach adjust?
Long-time coach Mike Budenholzer was fired after the Bucks suffered a first-round exit from this postseason. Milwaukee will have to see how Giannis works with new coach Adrian Griffin. Griffin is a first-time NBA head coach and is taking over a team that will likely have high expectations.
Griffin isn’t short on basketball experience despite never being an NBA head coach. He has been involved in basketball in college as well as the CBA, USBL, and NBA. He also played overseas. How Griffin adjusts to managing NBA personalities can heavily impact Giannis Antetokounmpo odds.
Does Giannis want to chase rings?
NBA odds show what Giannis did in leading Milwaukee to a championship was a pretty remarkable feat. The Wisconsin city hasn’t drawn many big-name free agents to the city over the years. So rebuilding a roster will likely come with a mix of free agents, drafting well, and getting lucky in trades.
NBA player stats show Giannis played in 63 games last season and was still playing at a high level. He is fifth in the league in scoring at 31.1 points per game. Looking at the past NBA schedule, Giannis also finished last season third in the NBA in rebounding. He grabs 11.8 points per game.
What will Milwaukee do to convince him to stay?
There has been a lot of chatter about what Giannis would like to do. Some of it may be wishful thinking of other fanbases circulated into the rumor mill. People making NBA picks know that Giannis would be an ideal fit for many teams around the league.
While Giannis isn’t much of a jump shooter or long-range threat, his physicality and ability to get to the rim have served him well as a professional player.
There may still be some loyalty between Giannis and the Bucks. They drafted him as a 19-year-old teenager out of Greece.
While there are many reasons Giannis may leave Milwaukee, a lack of playoff success in his career may not be high on the list.
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