With Trade Rumors Swirling, Giannis Appeared To Suffer A Non-Contact Leg Injury While Playing The Pistons

Patrick McDermott. Getty Images.

At the moment, one of the biggest stories in the NBA is the future of Giannis. We're getting "reports", rumors are flying left and right, fanbases around the league are starting to let their brains entertain a world where Giannis joins their favorite team. Things are hot right now. Brutal for Bucks fans out there, so that's a bit unfortunate, but this is how it goes sometimes. 

The point is, all eyes are on Giannis and the Bucks right now, and what could potentially be a league-altering decision.

Which is why seeing him go down with a non-contact injury while playing the Pistons is the absolute worst

Let me just say, based on how that looked, my reaction in real time was that his injury was going to be MUCH worse than a right calf strain so I am very relieved that, at the moment, that's all this appears to be. Perhaps that's my own personal PTSD showing up, but when you not only instantly drop like that, but then sit there confused/mad? That usually means something much, much worse. It somewhat reminded me of Dame if we're being honest.

Thankfully, he walked off under his own power, and it looks like we got a prayer and avoided disaster. That's the good news. I would also say that for Giannis' sake, I hope he takes his time coming back. Who gives a shit about the Bucks' season, that's whatever at this point. You absolutely under no circumstances can fuck around with a calf strain. We know what happens next and what those can turn into, and you'll just have to take my advice here. I highly recommend avoiding that path. It's hell. If you've been paying attention this season, Giannis is playing at essentially the highest level of his career. He's been a monster. You can't risk that guy popping an achilles. You have to be overly cautious.

You then also have to wonder how this might impact everything going on right now. If you're a team out there and you're giving up the price it's going to take to trade for Giannis, I'd be slightly nervous about calf strains. It's not like Giannis has been a pillar of health recently, so something like this certainly doesn't help. At the same time, does getting hurt and missing time potentially impact how Giannis may be thinking/feeling? Could this in some way increase the odds he stays?

Either way, seeing one of the best players in the world go down on a non-contact injury stinks out loud. For it to happen right in the midst of all these trade rumors? Crazy.