The Milwaukee Bucks will lose Giannis Antetokounmpo for several weeks after suffering another calf injury
The Milwaukee Bucks had a golden opportunity in front of them, matching up against the Denver Nuggets at home on Friday night. Entering the game, the Nuggets were without four of their opening night starters, with Aaron Gordon being the only healthy one. In addition, both Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas were sidelined.
Despite all of that, and even Gordon exiting the game in the second quarter due to injury, the Bucks' game-winning three-point attempt hit the front of the rim as they suffered a 102-100 loss to the Nuggets. A crushing performance given the late comeback attempt, which was far from the worst thing that happened on Friday.
Giannis Suffers Injury Yet Again
After missing eight games from December 5th to 26th, Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game that he expects to miss 4-to-6 weeks due to a calf injury he sustained during Friday's contest. Giannis still played till being subbed out in the final seconds of the game, but will now be sidelined for several games.
With this, Giannis will now become ineligible for regular season awards such as All-NBA, ending his nine-year streak of appearing on the All-NBA Second or First Team. Despite being on track to make the first or second team, it'll be his first season without any awards since 2015-16.
What Does This Mean For Milwaukee?
Giannis' name has been at the forefront of trade rumors recently, especially after his cryptic response when asked if he'll end the season with the Bucks. Now, with him expected to be sidelined through the February 5th trade deadline, the Bucks might decide they are better off parting ways with him now than in the offseason.
Regardless, the Bucks are more than likely set to end up with a lottery selection in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft, assuming they continue to drop in the standings and the New Orleans Pelicans don't climb their way out of the 15th seed. They'll then receive the less favorable of the two first between their's and New Orleans'.
Additionally, it also doesn't make sense at this point for the Bucks to make an all-in move to keep Giannis, given that this team will likely struggle tremendously with Giannis sidelined and Kevin Porter Jr. as well.
At this point, the best option might be for the Bucks to explore selling off any players they don't plan on keeping for the future for any assets they can get before the trade deadline, and look into parting ways with Doc Rivers at the end of the season to clean house.