The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: Does Giannis Want Out of Milwaukee?

Date: December 4, 2025

Hosts: Dave DeFore & Zena Keda

Featured Guest: Eric Nehm (The Athletic, Bucks beat writer)

Overview

In this episode, Dave DeFore and Zena Keda break down the most significant NBA stories: a monster night from Denver’s Jamal Murray, positive signs for the new-look Dallas Mavericks, and, most pressingly, the recent turmoil surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The spotlight falls on Giannis’ reported frustration, a potential trade request, and what it means for the Bucks’ present and future, with insights from Bucks beat writer Eric Nehm.

Key Discussion Points

1. Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray Drops 52 (02:03–10:15)

• Jamal Murray’s “Blizzard”: Murray erupts for 52 points (10-11 3PT) against the Pacers, stepping up in a crucial spot with multiple starters out.

• Murray’s Evolution: Historically labeled “underrated” due to inconsistent prior playoff performances, Murray is drawing praise for becoming the reliable All-Star Denver needs alongside Jokic.

• Two-Man Excellence: The Jokic-Murray pairing leads the NBA’s two-man lineup stats, underlining their chemistry and importance.

• Nuggets’ Depth and Defense: With Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon sidelined, Denver’s defense has cratered (29th in DefRtg over last 10 games) but new depth pieces are getting reps.

  "When Jokic looks tired like he did in that loss the other night, they need Jamal Murray. And so far this season, he has looked like an All Star that he needs to be…unless [Murray] is having the season that he has, 1000% [this team isn’t as good]."
  —Dave DeFore (04:38)

  "There’s only been one more guard that has had as many games with 50 plus points with as good as shooting from the floor as Jamal Murray…and that is Michael Jordan.”
  —Zena Keda (05:24)

2. Dallas Mavericks’ Rookie Breakouts (11:01–16:44)

• Ryan Nembhard’s Emergence: Nembhard, thrust into a starting PG role, posts back-to-back double-doubles—a first for a Mavs rookie since 2019.

• Cooper Flagg’s Growth: The Mavericks’ rookie forward continues to impress, averaging 20+ points, 7 rebs, 4 ast over his last five games.

• Team Chemistry & Future Outlook: Veteran core (AD, Klay Thompson) and new faces are meshing; the narrative pivots from early-season despair to cautious optimism for Dallas’ future.

  "Ryan Nembhard found money, gem, you know, diamond in the rough…They have stumbled upon greatness in Ryan Nemhard. He is so poised…"
  —Zena Keda (12:17)

  “AD and Cooper Flagg learning to play off each other is actually kind of interesting.”
  —Dave DeFore (14:06)

  “For Dallas Mavericks fans, you’re looking at the bright side here and you’re like, this is good, right? We’re not tanking and there’s positive wins happening.”
  —Zena Keda (15:44)

3. The Giannis Situation in Milwaukee (21:14–34:35)

Background and Frustrations (21:14–25:12)

• The Bucks are just 10–13, with a 7-game losing streak and recent loss to the Washington Wizards prompting existential franchise questions.

• Giannis’ engagement and happiness are constant front-office concerns; he’s publicly outlined his championship-or-bust mentality.

• Trade rumors swirl after a report by Shams Charania triggers headline anxiety for Bucks fans.

  “I think one of the things that we found at our reporting at the Athletic is that, yeah, everyone's frustrated. Giannis is frustrated. He would like to win more. He's always made it very clear that competing for championships is what he wants to do.”
  —Eric Nehm (22:37)

  “When the trade rumors started… he came to us at training camp and said, when I am here, when it says Milwaukee Bucks on my chest, I am here, 10 toes down.”
  —Eric Nehm (24:28)

Changes From Past Offseasons (25:12–26:42)

• Speculation about Giannis as a Knick fueled summer conversation, but he publicly committed to Milwaukee at the time.

• Losing exposes cracks; Milwaukee’s record is now unacceptably poor for a star of Giannis’ stature.

  “How did we get here from that Knicks conversation… to now, it could be bubbling up again?”
  —Zena Keda (25:12)

Current State and Internal Accountability (28:41–30:00)

• No formal trade request from Giannis has been made as of the episode.

• The Bucks are making internal efforts to regroup, including a team meeting led by Bobby Portis resolving to reach higher standards.

  “There is a level of accountability amongst the team…They know it's not acceptable to lose the game. That, to me was like, a good sign.”
  —Eric Nehm (29:19)

Can Milwaukee Improve Enough? (30:00–33:16)

• Key health issues—Kevin Porter Jr.’s reintegration is helping, but skepticism remains about Milwaukee’s talent ceiling.

• The market is thin, and the Bucks lack assets for major trades; the Dec. 15th trade window looms.

  “If we rattle off 10 in a row, all of a sudden, this will magically disappear… If you're winning, none of this is a story.”
  —Eric Nehm (31:30)

  "Giannis will always be the most interesting story in the world... This is always the conversation when your standard is I want to compete for championships."
  —Eric Nehm (32:20, 32:29)

The Perennial "Will He Stay?" (33:16–34:35)

• This annual drama has become a fixture for Eric and Bucks watchers since 2018; Giannis’ high standard ensures perpetual pressure on Milwaukee’s front office.

• Episode closes with clear uncertainty: Milwaukee’s future hinges on keeping their star happy through progress or major moves.

  “As of today, you know, the team is 10 and 13. That's not where they want to be. It's a game better than where they were on December 3rd when we started this conversation. But now they're in a place where they're 10 and 13 and they're going to try to find their way through it.”
  —Eric Nehm (34:16)

  “We're gonna wind up doing this in year nine, by the way. I'm just gonna say it right now. We're gonna do this next year. I hope he doesn't get moved. I hope he doesn't want to go. I hope they can figure out a way to make it work.”
  —Dave DeFore (34:36)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Jamal Murray, it's not even a flurry when he puts up 52. That's a blizzard.”
  —Dave DeFore (04:00)

• "There’s only one other guard in NBA history, Michael Jordan, who’s had as many 50-plus point games with that efficiency."
  —Zena Keda (05:24)

• “Ryan Nembhard found money, gem…They have stumbled upon greatness in Ryan Nembhard.”
  —Zena Keda (12:17)

• “When the trade rumors started, right before the season, [Giannis] came to us at training camp and said, when I am here… I am here, 10 toes down.”
  —Eric Nehm (24:28)

• "If we rattle off 10 in a row, all of a sudden, this [trade chatter] will magically disappear."
  —Eric Nehm (31:30)

• “Giannis will always be the center of every trade, rumor, conversation, fake trade idea story…that is not going anywhere.”
  —Eric Nehm (32:20)

• “We're gonna wind up doing this in year nine… We're gonna do this next year.”
  —Dave DeFore (34:36)

Timestamped Breakdown of Key Segments

• Nuggets/Pacers Recap: 02:03–10:15
• Mavericks Rookies & Team Outlook: 11:01–16:44
• Giannis/Bucks Turmoil Deep Dive: 21:14–34:35

Tone

• Candid and conversational, mixing sharp analysis with humor (“That’s not necessarily a good thing…”)
• Direct attribution to reporting and player quotes, especially on the Giannis segment.
• Honest about uncertainties in Milwaukee (“We’re gonna wind up doing this in year nine…”).

Summary Takeaway

This episode covers a night of NBA highlights—especially Jamal Murray’s outburst and Dallas’ sudden optimism—but revolves around a detailed, up-to-the-minute look at the Milwaukee Bucks’ most pressing issue: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s happiness, team struggles, and the lingering threat of a trade request. The show, with Eric Nehm's expertise, underscores that this drama isn’t new, nor is it going away—unless Milwaukee can flip the script and start winning.