NBPA calls out tanking as Bucks weigh Giannis Antetokounmpo shutdown

Last month's NBA commercialized deadline came and went with nary woody reached for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks entered Tuesday successful 11th spot successful the Eastern Conference, extracurricular the NBA playoff picture. The past fewer seasons successful Milwaukee person been marked by disappointing results, starring to manager Mike Budenholzer's exit and speculation that Antetokounmpo could question a alteration of scenery.

Antetokounmpo has seen constricted enactment successful the 2025-26 season, appearing successful 36 games — putting him connected way for a career-low total. He hasn’t taken the tribunal since Milwaukee’s 134-123 triumph implicit the Indiana Pacers connected March 15. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the 4th fourth astatine State Farm Arena connected Jan. 19, 2026 successful Atlanta, Georgia.    (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Despite a genu hyperextension and bony bruise, the Bucks’ slim likelihood of qualifying for the NBA play-in and conscionable 12 games near successful Milwaukee’s regular-season schedule, Antetokounmpo appears consenting to play down the stretch. The Athletic archetypal reported the Bucks approached him astir sitting out, an thought helium was not funny in.

However, his stance conflicts with the Bucks’ reported propulsion to support the two-time NBA MVP sidelined for the remainder of the season. 

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO STICKS WITH BUCKS AS NBA TRADE DEADLINE PASSES DESPITE SOME INTEREST

The reported quality prompted a effect from the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the national representing NBA players.

"The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to clasp teams accountable and guarantee that erstwhile an All-Star similar Giannis Antetokounmpo is steadfast and acceptable to play, helium is connected the court," the connection from the NBPA read.

A hoops is placed connected the tribunal adjacent to an NBA logo during a interruption successful the archetypal fractional of a 2023 NBA Summer League crippled betwixt the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets astatine the Thomas & Mack Center connected July 07, 2023 successful Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are lone arsenic effectual arsenic their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the crippled itself volition proceed to endure arsenic agelong arsenic ownership goes unchecked. We look guardant to collaborating with the NBA connected meaningful caller proposals that volition straight code and discourage tanking."

Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks successful enactment against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 3rd 4th astatine Fiserv Forum connected Jan. 21, 2026 successful Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds this play but has not yet been medically cleared to return.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.