It is highly likely that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will part ways this summer! Will the 4-year, $270 million extension not be signed? Both sides remain deadlocked.

On March 26 Beijing time, according to a report by TA's renowned journalist Amick, the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are likely heading toward a "split" this summer. Here is his report—

Don't forget, Giannis has always been known for playing through injuries; back when the Bucks were chasing a championship, they never had any issue with that. But now the team's stance is: despite various signs indicating Giannis believes his body is fine, the team still cites medical clearance as the reason not letting him play—this attitude is the clearest signal that the two sides are destined to separate this summer. Whether the Bucks want to preserve his health for a future trade, or want to tank to improve draft position, or both, this approach, completely against Giannis's wishes, has fully exposed the current state of their relationship.

A superstar's decision is never absolute, but the possibility that Giannis will still be wearing a Bucks jersey when he becomes eligible to sign a 4-year, $270 million extension on October 2 is growing slimmer day by day. According to Bucks reporter Eric Nehm's initial report on March 20, after Giannis suffered a left knee hyperextension injury on March 16, the Bucks—who are essentially out of playoff contention and aiming for a lottery pick—have communicated with him, hoping he sits out all remaining games this season.

Ironically, in the 2021 playoffs he persevered through an injury in the same area and ultimately led the Bucks to defeat the Suns in the Finals, securing the franchise's first championship in 50 years. But this time, when this Finals champion, Finals MVP, and two-time regular-season MVP told the team he didn't want to sit out, he clearly no longer received the same recognition and support as before.

Nine days later, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) issued a statement criticizing the NBA for not holding the Bucks accountable under the player resting/playing policy. Such action by the NBPA is extremely rare and clearly reflects Giannis's firm stance. However, the situation still hasn't changed.

Since Nehm's initial report, the Bucks have listed Giannis as out for four consecutive games; the team's next game is Sunday at home against the Spurs. Head coach Doc Rivers reiterated the team's position today, stating Giannis "just isn't healthy yet." NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also addressed the matter at a press conference after today's league board meeting.

"Before that NBPA statement, we didn't know there was a dispute," Silver said. "We only knew Giannis was injured, and his recovery timeline falls within the normal range for such injuries. That statement surprised me a bit."

"But undoubtedly, when our players' union raises a problem, we will definitely investigate. That's the situation right now."

Silver also said he hasn't heard directly from Giannis about any related demands. Normally, a superstar shouldn't need to go this far just to play, but perhaps this is now an extraordinary time requiring extraordinary measures. Or, more realistically: the Bucks and Giannis will keep arguing until the end, until they completely split.