What's ahead for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks? - ESPN

ONE DAY AFTER the NBA trade deadline, Giannis Antetokounmpo stood on the sideline at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, waiting for a basketball to be thrown his way.

His two young sons, Liam and Maverick, each had one in hand. One after the other they mustered up their strength to unleash a two-handed shot high in the air toward their 6-foot-11 father.

Antetokounmpo took one ball and did a crossover dribble as his youngest son fell to the floor, before they all made their way toward center court. Antetokounmpo then began using the basketball like a soccer ball, kicking it off his foot and then bouncing it off his head as his kids watched with wonder, his mind seemingly more at ease than the fan base watching his every move.

Last Friday was the Milwaukee Bucks' final home game before the All-Star break, and the team planned to honor Antetokounmpo's 10th straight All-Star selection before tipoff.

Standing at center court, he was surrounded by his two sons, two daughters, wife and mother.

Bobby Portis, his longest-tenured teammate, took the mic first.

«Appreciate all you do for the city,» Portis said as the crowd in Milwaukee chanted «M-V-P.»

Then his brother Thanasis, his teammate for six seasons in Milwaukee, took his turn.

«I'm proud of you, the team's proud of you, everybody's proud of you,» Thanasis added. «Don't stop.»

It was a moment for the Bucks, their fans, the players and the organization to take a collective exhale.

Antetokounmpo's uncertain future had loomed over the team since the start of the season, and the pressure had only intensified leading up to last Thursday's deadline.

Antetokounmpo's frustration with the team's mediocrity had been growing for years. Despite winning 58, 49 and 48 games over the past three