Amid trade rumors, Giannis Antetokounmpo holds rehab session before Bucks game

MILWAUKEE — While Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be suiting up for the Milwaukee Bucks before the trade deadline, he was still wearing Bucks gear as he went through an on-court workout 90 minutes before the Bucks were set to take on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in Fiserv Forum.

Antetokounmpo went through a workout that lasted more than 30 minutes. It included some shooting with very minimal jumping and movement, standstill passing drills and stationary dribbling exercises with assistant coach Vin Baker.

Antetokounmpo moved to the other end of the floor after the offensive portion of the workout, where he went through lane slides under the watchful eye of a Bucks’ training staff member.

While Antetokounmpo has been listed as out since he first hit the injury report with a right calf strain following the Bucks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 23, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers ended his pregame news conference by asking reporters if they wanted an update on the Bucks star’s status.

When reporters confirmed their interest, Rivers asked if they had seen the news that Antetokounmpo and his two brothers, Thanasis and Alex, would be coaching one of the teams in the Celebrity All-Star Game at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. After reporters nodded along and asked if Rivers gave Antetokounmpo any pointers, Rivers instead made a quick joke.

“He did inform that he’s going to put Shams (Charania) on the trading block and then he’s just going to listen to offers,” Rivers said with a smile. “So, I’m just gonna go make that announcement right now.”

Charania, ESPN’s lead NBA insider who previously worked at The Athletic, will play in the Celebrity Game.

It remains to be seen if Antetokounmpo will be traded before the deadline on Thursday. However, multiple teams are still in serious pursuit of the Bucks’ two-time MVP, and Milwaukee has been listening to offers from opposing teams.