The NBA announced the results of its investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks season ended in disappointment as the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
It was an up-and-down season for Milwaukee as they could never find consistency, thanks in part to various injuries to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Without the former MVP, the Bucks struggled on both ends of the floor and went 15-31. Giannis played a career low 36 games, nearly 30 games less than his previous career low of 63 games. He played 61 games in 2020-21, but that was a 71-game season due to COVID-19.
Giannis missed at least one game each month of the season, dealing with a calf injury for the majority of the time. On March 15, he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.
NBA Investigation
Though Giannis missed the final 15 games of the season, he stated throughout the last month that he was okay to play, and the team made the decision not to play him.
Giannis' comments drew attention from the league office, who investigated the matter.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charnia announced, "The NBA concluded its investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks over the shutdown and health of Giannis Antetokounmpo late in the season and has determined that no further action is warranted."
With no penalties against either the player or the team, both sides can move forward into the future, which might mean splitting this offseason.
The Future of Giannis
Giannis' name was in trade rumors all season, and those rumors heated up at the trade deadline. Multiple teams were reportedly making calls on Giannis, but ultimately, the Bucks held firm and kept their franchise player in hopes of making a run at the playoffs.
The late season injury put water on those plans, and as it became clearer that Milwaukee was not going to be threatening for a playoff or play-in spot, he did not return to the lineup despite his claims that he was healthy.
The disagreement over his health seemed to sour things further between Giannis and management, bringing new heat to trade rumors after the Bucks' season ended. According to the latest reports, Milwaukee is listening to offers for Giannis, who reportedly wants to play for a contender in the Eastern Conference.
As the NBA Draft approaches on June 23, more teams will continue to make their offers for Giannis in hopes of transforming their franchise and increasing their title odds.