Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, has recently been cleared to return to basketball after recovering from an Achilles injury sustained near the end of the 2023-24 NBA season. Despite currently being a free agent and averaging only 4.6 minutes per game last season, former NBA player Evan Turner made a bold statement about Thanasis’s potential impact, provided he received more playing time comparable to that of Josh Hart.
On Wednesday, Turner took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his opinion, stating,
“This is a wild take and it has nothing to do with nothing but I believe that if Thanasis got the same amount of minutes as Josh Hart then I think he could be equally as impactful.”
Turner’s assertion sparked varied responses from fans who noted Thanasis has never averaged more than 3.6 points per game in his career, raising questions about the feasibility of such a projection.
Giannis Antetokounmpo himself reacted to the conversation by posting a series of emojis under an Instagram post that featured Turner’s comment, signaling his engagement with the discussion.
Although Thanasis’s return to fitness is confirmed, it remains uncertain if the Milwaukee Bucks will pursue re-signing him, especially as roster decisions take shape for the upcoming season.
Speculation Grows Around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future with Bucks and Trade Rumors
Following the Milwaukee Bucks’ elimination from the playoffs, speculation in the NBA community has intensified regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Though Giannis has not requested a trade and is still under contract for several more years, numerous mock trade scenarios have been proposed by analysts and fans alike.
One notable suggestion came from veteran NBA analyst Bill Simmons, who proposed a potential trade between the Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers involving Giannis and Evan Mobley. According to reporter Chris Mannix, this deal would allow Cleveland to add a proven star to team up with Donovan Mitchell, while Milwaukee could focus on cultivating a younger roster around Mobley.
Other mock trades envision the two-time MVP being traded to the Toronto Raptors, a deal that could include RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and multiple first-round draft picks going to Milwaukee. Additional chatter has linked Giannis to franchises like the San Antonio Spurs, where he could join forces with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, as well as potential moves involving Houston, Miami, or Golden State.
With the offseason still months away, the Bucks and fans are left waiting to see whether Giannis remains in Milwaukee or takes his talents elsewhere.
Implications of Thanasis’s Role and Giannis’s Trade Possibilities
The possibility that Thanasis Antetokounmpo could deliver a Josh Hart-level impact if given a comparable number of minutes adds an intriguing layer to the Bucks’ roster discussions. If the team opts to bring Thanasis back into the fold, it could provide valuable depth and energy as the Bucks look to rebuild and contend again.
Meanwhile, the ongoing trade rumors surrounding Giannis highlight the uncertainty facing Milwaukee and the broader NBA landscape. Any move involving the star forward would have significant repercussions not only for the Bucks but also for the teams linked to acquiring him. Fans and analysts will be closely observing the developments as the 2024 offseason approaches.