According to Shams, Giannis has said publicly and privately that he wants to win a second championship, and that if the Bucks can't do it, he may move on to another team.

Bucks executive Edens said in a media day interview that he spoke with Giannis in June and that Giannis expressed a strong commitment to the Bucks. Yet just an hour later, Giannis responded to a reporter's question, "I don't remember that meeting."

For the rest of the year, Giannis would not only focus on the Bucks' early-season performance, but also on other teams. Many executives on other teams felt that Giannis would have to formally request a trade from the team if he wanted to fulfill his goal of leaving, but those who know him say that's completely out of character for him.