The NBA won’t be taking any motion after concluding its investigation into Giannis Antetokounmpo being shut down for the ultimate month of the season, based on a report by ESPN on Tuesday.
The 2-time MVP hyperextended his left knee on March 15 towards the Indiana Pacers and didn’t play within the ultimate 15 video games of the season for the Bucks, who missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.
Nonetheless, the staff and its star participant had differing tales on his well being and want to return by the point the staff had been eradicated from rivalry in late March.
Antetokounmpo instructed reporters in early April that he was wholesome however being held out by the staff.
“I am out there to play, however I am not within the sport,” Antetokounmpo stated on April 3. “I am out there to play at the moment. Proper now. I am out there.
“For any individual to return and inform me to not play or to not compete, it is like a slap in my face. So I do not know the place the connection goes from there.”
Per the report, the Bucks instructed investigators that they did not imagine Antetokounmpo really needed to return, citing his refusal to take part in 3-on-3 scrimmage work at observe to point out his restoration progress.
Antetokounmpo additionally denied this declare in his exit interview with media members.
“From my understanding, coming again to play, which I do not suppose I ever had any return-to-play protocol, however to my understanding was I needed to play 3-on-3 to have the ability to be out there to play,” Antetokounmpo stated. “I did that a number of occasions. I’ve by no means in my life denied participation of observe.”
ESPN reported Monday that the Bucks are as soon as once more exploring a pre-draft commerce for Antetokounmpo, 31. Milwaukee additionally explored this selection earlier than the commerce deadline earlier than electing to carry onto its star participant till no less than the summer season window.
Antetokounmpo has one yr left on his deal earlier than a participant choice for the 2027-28 season.
The ten-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA participant has averaged 24.1 factors, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals over 13 seasons and 895 video games (830 begins) with the Bucks, main them to the franchise’s first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
–Subject Degree Media
