According to the Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is “getting close” from his calf injury. Plus, with him getting close, they have no intentions of shutting him down for the remainder of the season.

“He’s going to play when he’s healthy,” Rivers said on Friday. “We just got to make sure he’s healthy. He’s getting close. He’s working out. He looks good. So I would say hopefully sooner than later.”

While Rivers did not provide a timetable for Antetokounmpo’s return, the 31-year-old did complete an on-court workout on Friday.

Milwaukee is 21-29 on the season, 6-14 without Giannis, and are currently twelfth place in the Eastern Conference. There are 32 games left before the postseason begins.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks have been told by Giannis Antetokounmpo that he is ready to leave the organization and take his talents elsewhere. This is nine months in the making, says Charania.

Whether it is at the deadline or in the offseason, the era of the Greek Freak is coming to an end. Despite the request by the 31-year-old, Milwaukee will remain patient and wait for the best deal possible.

Per multiple reports, the Bucks are looking for blue-chip players and several draft picks. If they wait until June, then the franchise could get better offers.

Since this offseason, and the reported almost-happening trade to the New York Knicks, Antetokounmpo’s relationship with the Bucks have been very shaky and unstable. Many teams have been bracing for him to finally want out, which has been the center of attention for this year’s trade deadline.

While Antetokounmpo has made it clear he loves this organization and the city of Milwaukee, him and general manager Jon Horst have help numerous discussions on if he remains a good fit for this organization.

After months of back and forth, reports, and trade speculation, Antetokounmpo has made the decision to leave and begin a new chapter in his career.

On October 1st, he will become eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension.

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.