Photo: Peter Baba

Speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future has quieted in recent weeks, but longtime Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski believes that may not be a coincidence.

Speaking on the Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward podcast, Owczarski suggested the lack of public information could actually indicate that meaningful discussions are taking place behind the scenes.

“I’m not reporting anything, but the quiet is eerie,” Owczarski said.

Drawing from his experience covering the team, he pointed to Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst’s history of operating discreetly when pursuing major moves.

“Jrue Holiday appeared out of thin air. Damian Lillard appeared out of thin air. Trading Giannis Antetokounmpo is not something that is going to be leaked and sort of bread-crumbed out in public.”

Owczarski believes the silence surrounding the situation is notable given the amount of national attention Antetokounmpo has received for years.

“I think the lack of news…and the quiet on a story that’s been pursued nationally for so many years indicates that all of the parties involved have gone omertà. The code of silence.”

Milwaukee has previously stated that it hopes to have clarity on Antetokounmpo’s future before the NBA Draft.

That clarity could come either through a long-term commitment from the superstar or a decision to explore trade options.

For now, however, little information is making its way into the public domain.

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