The Milwaukee Bucks were back in action on Thursday night, suffering their fifth loss in seven games in a 111-105 setback against the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks were again without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the franchise cornerstone provided the first explanation regarding the recent trade request rumours that have hung over Antetokounmpo and the team. 

“I didn't hear about the report,” Antetokounmpo said. “Again, if my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he is his own person. He can have any conversation he wants about it. At the end of the day, I don't work for my agent, my agent works for me.”

Antetokounmpo continued to pass the buck down to his agent, no pun intended, insisting that the conversations were just a natural part of the NBA game and that there was nothing he could do about that part of the business. Reading between the lines, it appears Giannisis is completely fine sitting back while his agent plays mediator, regardless of what that entails. 

“There's going to be conversations that are going to be made between him and the Bucks and him and his other players and other GMs, executives around the league,” Antetokounmpo said. “It's something that you can't control. But, at the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks.”

One thing that’s been apparent lately is the toll both Giannis’ absence and the prospects of his potential departure have taken on his teammates. He’s not ignorant to that fact, and he insists a major focus in his recovery is simply getting back on the court for them in a reasonable amount of time.

“I'm still locked in, locked in on my teammates,” Antetokounmpo said. “Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy. And then locked in on my teammates and how can I help them from the sideline or encourage them to be able to play and play free. Because at the end of the day, it takes a toll on them too, right?”

“They're playing game after game after game. Thank God, we've had a very good schedule in the last couple of weeks, but it takes a toll on them too. Like rumors and that and in and out, injuries and lose, win, it's hard, right? So, as a leader, but most importantly as a winner, you just gotta be there for them first.”