Update on Trade: The Missouri tigers are willing to exchange Tamar Bates for Milwaukee bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo….

It appears this “trade” proposition—Missouri Tigers offering Tamar Bates in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo—is purely hypothetical and not grounded in reality.

🏀 Why this trade isn’t taking place:

1. Giannis is firmly committed to Milwaukee for now

• In December, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported: “There will be no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this season… his priority is… long‑term sustained winning… right now, it’s Milwaukee.” That ruling was endorsed by other outlets like HoopsHype (basketnews.com, hoopshype.com).
• More recently, while trade rumors persist—linked to teams like Toronto, Golden State, Miami and the Lakers—these remain speculative. A piece from The Times of India noted those rumors but offered no concrete developments (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
• Internally, the Bucks have stated that while calls from other teams came in, “a deal involving Antetokounmpo is not a reality as of now” (bleacherreport.com).

2. Missouri Tigers and college-to-NBA trades don’t align

• Tamar Bates is a collegiate player at the University of Missouri—far from NBA eligibility. NCAA rules prohibit direct trades like this. Moreover, Bates is a guard with modest stats (3.9 PPG to 6.1 PPG at Indiana), making the idea of trading him for a superstar like Giannis not just impractical—it’s impossible (thetelegraph.com).

The Real Story on Giannis’s Trade Status

Final Take

This is not a real trade. It’s an internet fantasy—blending college and pro sports in a way that’s legally, financially, and logistically impossible. Giannis remains under contract with the Bucks, and there is zero prospect of a swap involving a college athlete like Bates.

Until we hear an announcement from the Bucks, Giannis’s camp, or the NBA—this rumor holds no weight.

Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of actual NBA trade rumors involving Giannis (e.g. Rams, Raptors, Lakers) or updates on Missouri’s roster and strategy under their current coach.

• timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• sfgate.com