The Milwaukee Bucks are in the middle of a season that’s been anything but smooth. Sitting at 18-29, it’s their worst campaign in over a decade, and naturally, the trade rumor mill is working overtime-especially when it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The chatter around his future has been simmering since 2017, but with the Bucks struggling, those whispers are starting to sound a little louder.
And then, in a twist straight out of an NBA sitcom, Giannis is about to coach one of the very people fueling those rumors: Shams Charania.
Yes, that Shams.
The same Shams who’s been at the center of Giannis trade speculation for months is now set to be coached by the Antetokounmpo brothers-Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex-during the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. It’s the kind of plot twist that has NBA Twitter doing what it does best: turning a quirky All-Star Weekend storyline into comedy gold.
To be clear, Giannis won’t be suiting up for the All-Star Game itself, but he’ll still be front and center during the festivities. As he’s done before, he and his brothers will take the reins as coaches for one of the Celebrity Game squads.
Joining them on the bench? None other than Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts.
And among the players they’ll be coaching? Shams.
Cue the internet’s collective double take.
Fans didn’t waste a second jumping on the irony-and the memes came fast and furious. From jokes about Giannis sending Shams to the bench with a DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision), to mock trade demands flipping the script on the reporter, social media had a field day.
“Giannis is coaching Shams? TRADE HIM!!!” one fan posted.
Another joked, “Giannis should threaten to trade Shams MULTIPLE times… and then just keep him on the bench.”
The timing couldn’t be more perfect-or awkward, depending on how you look at it. With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, all eyes are already on Milwaukee and their franchise cornerstone. Now, add in the visual of Giannis drawing up plays for the guy who’s been stirring the trade pot, and you’ve got a moment tailor-made for All-Star Weekend theater.
Whether this ends up being a lighthearted footnote or a tension-filled sideshow remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: when Giannis and the Antetokounbros take the sideline on February 13, there’s going to be more than just celebrity basketball on the menu. There’ll be some subtle (and not-so-subtle) drama, too.
And if Giannis decides to give Shams limited minutes? Well, let’s just say Bucks fans might consider that poetic justice.