Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo indicates he isn’t focused on leaving

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is trying to get healthy and trying to keep things simple. That is the message he delivered to NBA insider Chris Haynes this week as the noise surrounding his future with the Bucks continues to swell.

“He spoke to me about just being where his feet are planted. That is where his focus is,” Haynes said on his latest podcast, noting that Antetokounmpo sounded locked in on the present instead of anything down the road.

Haynes added a familiar story Antetokounmpo once shared years ago. When he sees a wall, he wants to run through it and make things work.

According to Haynes, that mindset remains in place.

“That is my focus right now. I want to run through a wall, make things work, get healthy, and try to be there for my team,” Antetokounmpo told him.

What he cannot speak on is the part that tends to fuel the rumor mill. Haynes said the two-time MVP doesn’t know what the Bucks are planning behind the scenes or how the front office is approaching his long-term future. His priority is getting his calf right and staying available.

Antetokounmpo and his agent reportedly recently opened discussions with the Bucks about what comes next. In the meantime, Milwaukee is bracing for a stretch without its franchise star. The calf strain is expected to sideline him for close to four weeks.

For now, Giannis says he is not running from the situation. He wants to fight through it. The Bucks will take that answer every time.