Rockets GM: Bucks made it clear they aren’t trading Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name has been floating around the trade rumor mill all summer, but apparently, the Bucks aren’t playing along.

Rockets GM Rafael Stone said as much Friday on ESPN Radio’s Houston affiliate when asked about “the big man from Greece in Milwaukee.” Without naming names, Stone admitted there was no traction with Bucks GM Jon Horst.

“Jon was very clear that they weren’t doing anything,” Stone said. “So that was that.”

That’s consistent with everything out there: Milwaukee won’t even think about moving Antetokounmpo unless he demands it. So far, there’s been no indication from Giannis that he’s ready to force the issue.

He’s been tied up with Greece’s EuroBasket run and hasn’t made any public noise about wanting out. His contract runs through 2027, with a $62.8 million option the following year.

In the meantime, Horst has been busy trying to keep the Bucks in the title picture and give Giannis reasons to stay.

With Damian Lillard out for the year after Achilles surgery, Milwaukee waived and stretched the $112.6 million left on his deal, then went out and signed Myles Turner away from Indiana.

The Bucks also added Gary Harris, Jericho Sims and Cole Anthony in free agency while re-signing Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins and Taurean Prince.

For now, that’s Milwaukee’s message: Giannis isn’t on the block, and the front office is doing everything it can to make sure he doesn’t want to be.