Giannis Antetokounmpo focused on recovery, says agent handles talks with Bucks
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MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo said Thursday he is concentrating on his health and leaving any discussions about his long-term future with the Milwaukee Bucks to his agent.
“If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he’s his own person. He can have any conversation he wants,” Antetokounmpo told reporters before Thursday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors. “I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I’m still locked in—locked in on my teammates, most importantly locked in on me getting back healthy.”
The two-time MVP addressed an ESPN report published earlier in the day that said he and his agent are weighing whether remaining in Milwaukee is his best option. Antetokounmpo, 31, has been sidelined since Dec. 3 with a right calf strain.
Injury status and timetable
Milwaukee listed the injury with an initial recovery window of two to four weeks, but head coach Doc Rivers said this week that Antetokounmpo has not advanced beyond individual on-court work and “isn’t close” to returning. The Bucks are 1-3 during his absence and carried an 11-16 record—11th in the Eastern Conference—into Thursday’s game. A five-game road trip begins after the home contest against Toronto.
Impact of trade rumors
Antetokounmpo downplayed any potential locker-room distraction. “It doesn’t affect my work. It doesn’t affect my relationship with my teammates, it doesn’t affect my relationship with my coach. It doesn’t affect my relationship with the GM,” he said. He added that while a full team meeting was unnecessary, several teammates approached him individually. “I’m straight with them whatever that answer may be,” he said.
Learning from past injuries
The forward acknowledged he may have rushed back from a groin injury in November, which he believes contributed to the calf strain. “As a leader of this team, when we are competing you feel like if you’re not out there to help your team you’re not giving your team the best chance,” he said. “Instead of taking the appropriate time you kind of get back and rush things.”
Both player and organization agree he should not return until fully healthy.
Source: ESPN
