While Giannis Antetokounmpo is suggesting that his competitive fire is why he wants to return to the floor despite resistance from the Milwaukee Bucks, it seems like that may not be the real reason.
Drama has surrounded the Bucks for much of this season as trade rumors involving Antetokounmpo have never subsided as the team has been lackluster on the floor. Most people believed that things would calm down after he was not moved before the NBA trade deadline. Still this has not happened.
The situation has actually gotten worse as the Bucks look to find their way to a better selection in June's NBA Draft. To make the best strategy, it would be best if Antetokounmpo sat out for the remainder of the season. This would be possible as he has battled illnesses throughout the season and suffered a severe left knee strain on March 15.
However, to the displeasure of the Bucks management, Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to get back on the field. His desire to compete and the team's preference to sit him conflicted and led to an investigation by the NBA.
"Antetokounmpo rejected the Bucks' request to shut down and told the team he planned to return when he felt healthy enough to play," ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday. “On March 17, multiple sources said he pressed to play against the Jazz and told the team he believed he was healthy.
"The Bucks ruled him out, and their medical staff did not clear him to play. Antetokounmpo then told several people on the team that he expected to play later on the road trip (March 21 at Phoenix, March 23 at Los Angeles, March 25 at Portland), but he never returned to action."
Did Giannis Antetokounmpo want to return to the Bucks because of Nike endorsement money?
Since then things have been at a standstill. While he is trying to get back on the court for their home final on Friday and is looking forward to being on the court with his brothers, Thanasis and Alex, maybe that is why he is not so eager to get back on the court.
Charania reports, "Multiple sources said the Bucks' decision to bench Antetokounmpo earned him a significant bonus in his Nike endorsement contract, which would have been triggered if he played at least 41 games."
It's unclear how much he lost, but it wouldn't be surprising if it was more than six figures. Considering how much he has struggled to stay healthy this season, it would make sense for him to simply sit out and help get Milwaukee into a better draft position. But perhaps a big payday has led Antetokounmpo to clash with team officials over a return this season.
