Apr 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks aren't going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. Well, at least until (or if) he requests a trade. That much has been made clear this offseason as (unfounded) rumors have swirled about the Milwaukee superstar still pondering his future, even as the Bucks tried to appease Antetokounmpo with the creative addition of Myles Turner.

Without referring to Antetokounmpo directly (because he legally can't), Houston Rockets general manager [GM] Rafael Stone confirmed the Bucks' mindset with their talisman during a recent radio interview with ESPN Houston.

According to Stone, the Bucks have likely never had any serious trade discussions concerning Antetokounmpo. It's to the point that when the Rockets were considering their potential offseason roster additions earlier this summer, Bucks general manager Jon Horst politely rebuffed Stone about acquiring the Milwaukee big man. With this helpful information, Houston quickly pivoted to adding the prolific Kevin Durant instead.

All of that tracks with everything tangible we've heard so far. If Horst didn't even really chat with Stone about Antetokounmpo, then it stands to reason that he probably hasn't done so with any other team's top executive.

More from ESPN Houston:

“I deal well with [Bucks GM] Jon Horst, I really like him," Stone said. Jon was very clear that they weren’t doing anything [regarding an Antetokounmpo trade]. So, that was that.”

None of this should really surprise anyone who's been paying attention. Barring a formal Antetokounmpo trade request, Milwaukee will likely never even entertain trading its best player of the modern era, especially in his prime. MVP-caliber players don't grow on trees, after all. The Bucks would be silly to send him away without his asking for it. That doesn't mean Antetokounmpo won't, eventually, want out. But he still hasn't asked out yet, if he ever will.

For now, both sides seem relatively content with each other.

When can Giannis Antetokounmpo leave the Bucks without a trade being involved?

Of course, a trade isn't the only way Antetokounmpo could ever potentially leave Milwaukee.

Technically, with a player option in the summer of 2028 on his current contract, Antetokounmpo only has two guaranteed seasons left in Milwaukee. If the star is unsatisfied with the Bucks' direction in 2028, that's likely when we wouldn't even have to do this trade song and dance, as he could leave as a free agent. (His free agent courting process would probably still be a circus, but that's very different.)

In that regard, the Los Angeles Lakers, among other squads, feel like a safe bet to pursue Antetokounmpo should he hit the open market.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Milwaukee Bucks GM has apparently never had any serious Giannis trade talks

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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