Latest news with #ChrisHaynes
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giannis Antetokounmpo And The Bucks Will Discuss Their Future In A Critical Offseason Meeting
Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks has been a big talking point in recent weeks after their third straight first-round exit in the postseason. Antetokounmpo is said to be open-minded about leaving the Bucks, and NBA insider Chris Haynes reports he is expected to meet with the team next week. "I was told the Bucks made contact with Giannis Antetokounmpo as early as this morning," Haynes said on Haynes Briefs. "And sources relayed to me that a meeting is expected to be scheduled for mid-next week. This is where Giannis is going to have the chance to speak with Bucks brass and talk about the direction of the team. Advertisement "And there's a lot going on with the Bucks this offseason," Haynes continued. "Knowing Giannis personally, one of the toughest competitors we have in this league. A guy who has great ambition. He wants multiple championships, that's all he wants to do is be put in a position where he can play alongside a team that has a chance to fight for a title. This is gonna be a very, very crucial meeting next week." Antetokounmpo and the Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021, but it's been all downhill since. They looked like a good bet to repeat, but Khris Middleton got injured in the playoffs, and they lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2022. An injury to Antetokounmpo would then contribute to the Bucks being eliminated in the first round in 2023. They then proceeded to go all in by trading for Damian Lillard in the following offseason, and it seemed like a great move on paper. The Antetokounmpo-Lillard partnership never quite flourished, though, and it didn't help matters that the injury bug didn't stay away either. One or both of them would miss time in the 2024 and 2025 playoffs, and that led to two more first-round exits. Advertisement Lillard tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Indiana Pacers this year, and the future is looking very bleak in Milwaukee. The chances of the team winning another title anytime soon seem slim. So, if Antetokounmpo wants to win another championship or two, leaving the Bucks this offseason might be in his best interests. The 30-year-old will have plenty of suitors if he does ask out and the Bucks grant his wish. Antetokounmpo is one of the very best players in the NBA and just averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. Players like the nine-time All-Star don't tend to be available for trade all too often. NBA insider Brian Windhorst has the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets as the frontrunners to acquire Antetokounmpo. Neither of those teams might be on the top of his list of preferred landing spots, though. Advertisement Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson revealed Antetokounmpo's preferences for his new team. He would prefer to stay in the Eastern Conference, have some control over roster and coaching decisions, and be in a market where other stars would want to join him. We listed out four realistic destinations for Antetokounmpo based on that and the packages each team could offer. One of them might no longer be a viable landing spot, though, as Antetokounmpo reportedly has reservations about going to the Miami Heat because of team president Pat Riley. Antetokounmpo is set to be the biggest talking point this offseason, and you wonder what jersey he'll be wearing at the start of the 2025-26 season. Related: Kevin Durant Shares Perfect Trade Package For Giannis Antetokounmpo
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks Make 'Very Crucial' Giannis Antetokounmpo Decision Amid Trade Rumors
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks. All the buzz started after the Bucks suffered another disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in this year's NBA playoffs. All of a sudden, a lot of questions were asked as to whether or not the two-time MVP's future is still in Milwaukee, or if Antetokounmpo is not set to move on to greener pastures. Advertisement Several teams around the league have already been linked to a potential blockbuster trade for the nine-time All-Star, who is currently still under contract with the Bucks through 2028. For his part, it has been reported that for the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo "is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere." Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Ruszkowski-Imagn Images NBA insider Chris Haynes dropped a bombshell report on Saturday about how the Bucks have reacted to these recent developments. According to the renowned reporter, Milwaukee's front office has already set a meeting with their cornerstone superstar. "I was told the Bucks made contact with Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this morning and sources relate to me that a meeting is expected to be scheduled for mid-next week," Haynes said. "This is where Giannis is going to have the chance to speak with Bucks brass and talk about the direction of the team. Advertisement "... This is going to be a very, very crucial meeting next week." The Bucks' intentions on Antetokounmpo remain unclear at this point. It is worth noting that the eight-time All-NBA forward signed a massive three-year max extension with the team in 2023, which has him locked up through 2028. Antetokounmpo's deal has a player option in the final year of his contract, which means the earliest he can part ways with the Bucks as a free agent would be after the 2026-27 season. The only way Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee this summer is via a trade, which is likely going to be discussed in this upcoming sit-down. However, whether or not Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will be open to the idea of a divorce, or if they plan to work things out with the objective of winning another championship together, remains to be seen. Advertisement Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Painful Statement After Bucks Loss Related: Bucks Fans React to Pacers' Punishment After Giannis Antetokounmpo Incident Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Heartbreaking Reaction to Damian Lillard Injury News
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heartbreak for Damian Lillard as Worst Fears Confirmed
The Milwaukee Bucks saw Damian Lillard leave their Sunday night 116-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter after suffering a non-contact injury. Lillard was almost immediately ruled out from re-entering the game as speculation mounted about a potential Achilles rupture for the 34-year-old guard. The Pacers have taken a 3-1 series lead over the Bucks, so Lillard being sidelined for the pivotal Game 5 was a given. However, everyone's worst fears have come true as Shams Charania of ESPN has confirmed that Lillard has torn his left Achilles tendon. Advertisement "Just in: Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, sources tell ESPN. MRI today revealed the severity. A devastating end to his season." Chris Haynes had revealed he had spoken to Lillard before the confirmation of the Achilles tear, with Lillard reportedly in good spirits and motivated to return at an All-Star level. "I spoke with Damian briefly. He's in good spirits. Motivated to attack this recovery process. He looks forward to returning to All-Star form whenever a timeline is established." Apr 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Ruszkowski-Imagn This was Lillard's second season with the Bucks, averaging xxx over the season and being named an All-Star. He suffered a late-season setback with a blood clot diagnosis, which caused him to miss over a month before he made an early return to compete in the Playoffs. Lillard struggled in the postseason, averaging 7.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists before his injury. It was a troubled season for the nine-time All-Star, who'll likely spend the entirety of next season rehabilitating from this injury.
NBC Sports
05-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
All eyes on Butler, Durant ahead of trade deadline
Chris Haynes joins the Dan Patrick Show to discuss who the major players are for Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant ahead of the NBA trade deadline and how Bradley Beal's no-trade clause factors into the equation.
