With that said: Should Antetokounmpo ask to leave Milwaukee in future years — i.e. closer to that contract expiration date — it could be worth noting that Stone and Horst seemingly have a positive relationship, and the Rockets and Bucks are in different conferences. That might make a deal more palatable to Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo should be evaluating his future. In fact, if he weren’t evaluating his future, I’d be concerned. But until he asks for a trade, Milwaukee isn’t trading him. And there’s a real good chance he doesn’t ask for a trade – at least not before the season starts.

Discover the challenges facing the Bucks as they aim for a championship with Giannis and potential trades on the horizon.

Sure, the Bucks might not want to send Antetokounmpo out whatsoever, but they might need to consider it if they get a deal like this from Miami. Considering the Bucks aren’t quite title contenders, this deal might not change much about their status in the play-in tier of the East.

Rockets GM Rafael Stone revealed that from day one, Milwaukee shut down the idea of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo.

For now, the Bucks are betting on continuity and Antetokounmpo's loyalty. But until he offers firm public commitment -- or a formal trade request -- uncertainty will linger. If he decides to move, the landscape of the league could shift overnight.

Could the Toronto Raptors trade guard Immanuel Quickley to the Milwaukee Bucks in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

This ambitious Knicks trade pitch would see the teampart with Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.