According to multiple reports circulating the NBA currently, the Milwaukee Bucks have not considered the possibility of shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the season. Even though he has been dealing with a lingering calf injury for an extended period of time.

“There’s no thought to that,” Rivers said. “But listen, there’s no timetable either.”

Antetokounmpo said the Bucks would have him sidelined for four-to-six weeks due to his recent calf strain injury.

With February 5th’s trade deadline looming around the corner, many are speculating and holding their breathe on what will happen. Reports have consistency been up and down, some say Antetokounmpo has played his final game, while others are saying he will be a Buck for the foreseeable future.

Teams like the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have reportedly been interested in acquiring the NBA champion.

Milwaukee is 3-11 without the 31-year-old in the lineup. 

According to the man himself, soon to be confirmed through an MRI, Giannis Antetokounmpo has suffered a right calf strain and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This would sideline him through the trade deadline and the NBA All-Star Game.

Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during Friday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. Many speculated that he seemed off all game, which, at one point, head coach Doc Rivers took him out of the game because he didn’t like what he was seeing on the court.

The 31-year-old was seen on the bench watching his team play the remaining minutes of the fourth quarter. After the game, he sat on the bench talking to his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, for a couple of minutes.

“After the MRI, they’ll probably tell me I popped something in my calf and probably give me a protocol of 4-6 weeks I’ll be out. After that, I’m going to work my butt off to come back probably end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team can at least make the Play-In (Tournament) or playoffs,” said Antetokounmpo after the game. 

He has already missed time this season, eight games to be exact, due to a right calf strain. This has been a nagging injury for the superstar.

With the deadline coming up and the team currently 18-26, reports have intensified about the current state of the team and Giannis’ future with the organization. Teams like the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors have been linked to him as a potential new home.

Despite the growing number of rumors, reports, and speculation regarding the future of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 31-year-old continues to show loyalty publicly to his organization.

On Thursday, Antetokounmpo has stated he will never request a trade from the Bucks. He has stated he isn’t that type of player, and wants people to fully understand that.

“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say ‘I want a trade,'” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic. “That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?”

This came as a shock to fans, mainly because he hasn’t been as clear, or direct, in recent months. Every other week it was a new issue, mock trade, or report circling through the internet. However, now, fans, and the organization, has more clarity and reassurance of where he is at mentally.

Head coach Doc Rivers has chimed in and saying Antetokounmpo has no intentions of leaving Milwaukee.

“If you’re around the team every day, and you saw those reports, you would laugh,” Rivers told The Athletic. “He’s given no indication (that he wants out). That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t change his mind, or whatever. But Giannis loves being in Milwaukee. He loves playing for this team. If something happens someday, where he changes his mind, I’d actually be surprised. But that can happen.”

Come this October 1st, Antetokounmpo will be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension. This would see him remain with the Bucks through 2030, which would make him 35 years old.

Right now, Milwaukee is sitting eleventh in the Western Conference, with a record of 16-21. They suffered another loss on Wednesday night to the Golden State Warriors.