• Giannis Antetokounmpo states his desire is to remain a Milwaukee Buck for his entire career.
• Antetokounmpo expresses deep personal and family ties to the city of Milwaukee.
• He voices concern about the team’s direction and the urgency to win another championship in his prime.

The word “Together,” perhaps fittingly, was positioned just over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s scarred left shoulder as he leaned against the wall that leads to the Milwaukee Bucks locker room.

In a short time, his teammates were about to take the court against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 3. He would not, however, as he suffered a calf strain Jan. 23. He joked with onlookers. Would this be the last time he’d see them? He joked with teammates, too. He joked that after his wife, Mariah, was telling him he’s “everywhere” he asked which commercials did she see?

Between the jokes, he was posed a serious question: What do you want?

“You know,” he said. “What I want deep down in my heart is I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career and win here.”

He then outlined how he came back too quickly from his first calf strain Dec. 3 to play, only to get hurt again Jan. 23. He said the team told him to come out of the game in the first quarter.

“I said eff no, I’m not coming out,” he said. “I’m playing. Why do I play? Because I have something, I’m chasing something? Or because I love my team.

“I play because I bleed green. I play because I know what I’ve built here. For me, it’s a huge puzzle. It’s a huge Lego piece that I’ve built and I don’t like people taking out pieces from it. I want to keep on building as much as I can.

“What does that show? Does that show a guy that’s not gonna be here? Is that what my actions show? I could tell you whatever I want, but what does my actions show? That I want to be here. I want to be here with people that know what it takes to win.”

The joking had long stopped.

His dark eyes fixed, he had more to say in a pregame conversation with the Journal Sentinel.

The Milwaukee Bucks face a tricky traded line as Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors continue to heat up. However, there are other teams that could make deals with the Bucks, and it could lead to a new direction for the franchise.

Some members of the Milwaukee Bucks on SI staff dropped their picks for who they believe the team should look to acquire in a trade.

D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks

Milwaukee should be motivated to lose games to maximize the franchise’s first lottery pick in a decade, and even if Giannis isn’t moved before the deadline his injury will preclude Milwaukee from seriously competing this season. Taking on a contract like D’Angelo Russell to replenish some draft pick capital is the best move the Bucks can make right now. Milwaukee needs to set themselves up to either retool around Giannis or rebuild once he’s gone. — Ti Windisch

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

For the Bucks to find a way to get back to relevance and try to keep Antetokounmpo happy, they need to make a splash in the trade market. That leaves two potential options of people that are assumed to be available. Those people are Ja Morant and Michael Porter Jr. The best fit of the two is Porter Jr. If I were the Bucks, I’d try to find a way to acquire him. — Major Passons

Draft Picks

The bubble is about to burst for the Bucks, and whether Giannis is traded this week or this offseason, the team is going to need an arsenal of picks to work with to properly rebuild the team. The Bucks should find ways to move off of players that will net them future draft picks, even if Antetokounmpo is not involved in that. The Bucks should figure out what Bobby Portis’ price tag is and who would be willing to take on Kyle Kuzma’s contract. And maybe kick the tires on potential Myles Turner trade destinations.

Of course trading Antetokounmpo would result in getting the most picks back, but the Bucks want to be able to get the best deal possible for him. If there is the right offer at the deadline, they should pull the trigger and rip the Band-Aid off once and for all. But once Antetokounmpo is traded, it will open the floodgates for the rest of the Milwaukee veterans to move on in other deals. — Jeremy Brener

More Milwaukee Bucks Stories

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee police are investigating a homicide on the city’s Lower East Side after an argument ended with gunfire Monday morning, Feb. 2, near Ogden Avenue and Astor Street.

What we know:

Police said the shooting happened around 9 a.m., turning the normally quiet area into a crime scene.

Loved ones identified the victim as Angelo Nelson, 50. Family members described Nelson as someone who avoided conflict and never wanted drama, calling him “one of a kind” and saying no argument should have cost him his life.

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A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the homicide. Police have not released his name, as criminal charges have not yet been filed. Public records show the suspect has had previous encounters with law enforcement, including a conviction for battery and domestic violence several years ago.

What they’re saying:

Quinn McDaniel, who lives a few streets away, said the violence was shocking for the neighborhood.

“Instantly breaks my heart,” McDaniel said. “Even on gloomy days like this, it’s not a place where you usually hear about fatalities.”

Police said Nelson was shot and killed during an argument. The shooting happened near a church, adding to the shock for nearby residents.

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“[It’s] extremely unfortunate. Right in front of a church — heart goes out to whoever passed away, everyone affected,” he said.

McDaniel said the tragedy underscores the importance of seeking help rather than reacting with violence.

“I know it’s easier said than done, but I think there are people and resources out there that can help you figure that out, rather than acting on it,” he said.

Police have not said what the argument was about. The investigation remains ongoing.