The Bucks have ramped up trade discussions involving Giannis Antetokounmpo within the past week in the wake of a report that the two-time MVP is “ready for a new home.” However, speaking to Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday, Antetokounmpo didn’t sound like a player who is eager to move on from the only NBA team he’s ever played for.
“What I want deep down in my heart is I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career and win here,” Antetokounmpo said, before describing in depth how much the city of Milwaukee means to him. “… I got married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And also, legally, from the courthouse. And also, I’ve had my kids here. My father is buried here. When I open the passport of my kids and it says born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my dad is buried here, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“So people have the audacity to come tell me and say, ‘This guy really doesn’t love Milwaukee.’ I don’t love Milwaukee? Not the people that know. The people of the city know how much I love them. This city has let me be myself, let me be father, have let me (be) a husband, have let me be my own true self.”
As strong as his feelings are for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has also spoken repeatedly over the years about his desire to contend for more NBA championships. The 19-29 Bucks look further away from contention than they have at any point in the last decade, which is a crucial reason why both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have become more open-minded to the idea of a trade.
“I always listen,” Antetokounmpo said when asked about his belief in the team’s ability to build a contending roster around him. “That’s why I’m still here. I always listen and trust. But what I’m trying to say, how many chances do I have left to win a championship? So, you just gotta (be) more careful and more urgent in every decision that you make moving forward. It doesn’t change. I think I’ve listened since day one and that will never change. I have great respect, love and likeness for (general manager) Jon (Horst) and the ownership and that will never be different. Won’t change. But at the end of the day …”
At this point, according to Owczarksi, Giannis paused for about eight seconds before finishing his thought.
“You gotta look.”
Here are several of the latest Antetokounmpo-related rumors:
- The Timberwolves are discussing Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid with teams around the NBA and are in constant communication with the Bucks as they look to gather enough assets to convince Milwaukee to send Antetokounmpo to Minnesota, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who says Giannis finds the idea of playing alongside Anthony Edwards “extremely compelling.”
- While several rival executives believe the Wolves have a path to acquiring Antetokounmpo this week, the Heat and Warriors have also made strong pitches, Siegel notes. Still, he suggests there’s “growing skepticism” about Miami’s chances of landing Giannis ahead of Thursday’s deadline (Twitter link).
- While Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski are presumed to be key pieces in the Warriors‘ offer for Antetokounmpo (along with multiple first-round draft picks), the Bucks are reluctant to take on Green’s contract and would likely want to reroute him to a third team if their talks with Golden State progress to an advanced stage, writes Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link). Green is earning $25.9MM this season with a $27.7MM player option for 2026/27.
- The Lakers aren’t viewed as a factor in the race for Antetokounmpo at this time, but if the Bucks hang onto the star forward until the offseason, Los Angeles would become a far more viable suitor, according to Stein. While the Lakers only have one tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) right now, they could move up to three first-rounders (2026, 2031, and 2033) in the summer.
- Although the Trail Blazers have some level of interest in trying to trade for Antetokounmpo, the forward’s camp has continued to convey that he wouldn’t be interested in signing an extension with Portland, Stein writes, which will likely dissuade the Blazers from making an aggressive offer.
- Antetokounmpo, who is currently sidelined due to a calf strain, went through a 30-minute on-court workout on Tuesday, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. However, the Bucks still haven’t provided a recovery timeline or given any indication of when he might return to action.
What I don’t understand with players is that it is almost impossible to have a team that has a great year every year. If you love where you live and your organization, in the end, that’s more important than anything else. A player like Giannis will always have his championship window open, even this year if the Bucks make some trades and turn things around.
Wake up Randy!!
Thing is, the Bucks FO dont want him there, they want to rebuild. That’s why they picked Kuzma and Turner as Giannis’s “help” knowing those two do not work alongside him and it would make him mad enough to OK any trade out of there, so they can then start the rebuild.
They traded all their pics
And then removed 10 — 20% of the cap to get rid of drue
Don’t mistake panic and bad execution to malicious intent.
The assure the gm of the bucks was desperately trying to win , not intentionally sabatoge your beloved team
“your beloved team” lmao but same guy also calls me a Warriors homer. I am doing impartial analysis here. Any team that targets Kyle Kuzma as a main piece is a deeply unserious front office, one that isnt trying to win and is trying to get Giannis to leave.
You’re right the bucks management is out to do Giannis and fan base dirty.
They’re probably evil human beings.
I agree with you.
Literally. It’s facts. Giannis, like Luka, wanted to stay. But the evil ownership will keep doing evil.
Don’t mind Davey J – no one else on the planet would ever think that the Bucks acquired those players hoping Giannis would want get traded.
giannis sit out this year. trade kuz and portis for different pieces for next year. somehow land the number 2 pick cause they cant get number 1. all in next year
They can also get many picks for Giannis and not have to rely on 1 guy.
Did you watch teh game last night? As long as the warriors have Kerr and not developing young players whats the use of bringing in Giannis? The team is full of roll players and Kerr’s favorites. They need a rebuild and a new coach.
You mean the game where they had like $150M sitting on the bench not playing?
Do you understand adding $150M to the team makes them better?
That is what you get with a very old team a lot of injuries. Add Giannis last night and they still lose. The team needs to rebuild and if Curry is not down with it they can trade him for a lot of draft picks.
“Add Giannis last night and they still lose.”
That is absolutely cap. 100% wrong. They didn’t even have Embiid. Giannis last night would have made this a Warriors W.
I think you are disrespecting Giannis’s talent now. Your anti-Giannis trade stance has warped your mind to where he actually isn’t even an elite player to you anymore. That’s bad for you.
Just posting the fact that warriors can not compete against more athletic and younger teams. If Giannis is as great as you claim why can’t he win with the Bucks?
Because he doesn’t have Steph Curry on his team.
Giannis is not KD in his prime.
Yeah, he plays elite defense, unlike KD.
Holy crap, you actually ARE thinking Giannis isn’t a top 5 player in this league right now!! Wow dude, wow. Maybe take a breather, you are just so off base here it’s absurd.
No i don’t think he is a top 5 player right now. Top 10 but his injury could be worse than they are saying. He is more likely going to the heat than the warriors. Curry’s knee is worse than they are saying. Warriors does not have the support system for a championship team.
You are smoking drugs. Literally not one word of that is true.
Davey your problem is that if somebody has a different opinion than your you attack them. Giannis is not coming to the warriors. He wants to be on a better team with a chance to win a championship. Minnesota doesn’t want Green so the trade will never happen.
“Giannis is not coming to the warriors. ”
You got a crystal ball? Its being reported on the Warriors, Wolves and Heat are the finalists and GSW are the team who can offer the most picks. It’s not insane to say this probably will happen.
He will end up in Minnesota. Watch.
This guy may say he’s married, but he sounds to me like he’s never broken up with a girlfriend in his life.
Hence why he’s married
Wolves,raps make the most sense.
If Giannis watched the warriors play last night he for sure do not want to go to the warriors. Some of the worst play i seen in a long time. Warriors can not win against more athletic teams. Not 1 player step up to show all star performance. Looked like a bunch of role players. Green has lost a step this year. Bucks at this time would be desperate to trade to the warriors when other teams want to trade real players to them. Warriors just got to admit the dynasty is over and time to rebuild.
Kerr refusing to do his job and build an offense without Steph is so sickening. He does not deserve his job. He does not do his job. GSW looked absolutely lost on offense last night. No direction. Only Post taking initiative with 10 points +10 in 17 minutes…so he plays well, and is rewarded with…bench time. Kerr is just useless. If you play well, Kerr will bench you. Insane coaching, period. Indefensible. Fire Steve Kerr.
Podz gets every chance to shine and he never seizes the moment.
25 mins 8 points -22
Send this dude to his hometown that he just updated his IG bio to show “Milwaukee”. Hmmm??
look at the games without Curry. Nobody steps up and be the great player. Nobody even scored 20 points. They do not know wghat to do if Butler or Curry is not out there. Kerr has done a terrible job at making the young players better. He has taught them get the ball to Curry. Without Curry they don’t know what to do. Poor coaching. I agree with you its time for kerr to go. They need to start a rebuild. Lacob wants to bail out kerr with a super star. SMH
The MINIMUM Kerr needs to do is say “Curry is out, who is making up those 27 points?” and find out who that is, and use plays for that player. In last nights case, Curry (27) Butler (20) Kuminga (12) all on the bench. So, who is scoring 60 instead of those guys? It was never discussed? Isn’t that something THE HEAD COACH should be leading and addressing? Kerr such a clown who has gotten away with doing the least with the most from day 1.
There is the problem any other team a player steps up and scores 30. Kerr has not taught them to step up and play.
Sounds like he’s reminiscing and coming to terms with the eventual trade at this point. Dude wants to stay in Milwaukee and win but that ship has sailed. As much as I hope he ends up with my Heat, his best shot at immediate title contention in with Minnesota or GSW.
I can’t agree that Giannis going to GSW indicates title contention.
I disagree. Steph and Giannis would be pretty lethal. Now I don’t think they’re better than OKC but you never know.
Just like your name, your analysis of Giannis to the Dubs is a stretch
No question those 2 would be an excellent tandem. Too bad you need at least 8 productive players to win titles.
Next year Warriors will be title contenders
As expected Draymond goes to third team, on auction
Klay on auction
As a Warrior Homer id say
the Milwaukee Bucks won a championship with Gannis and role players
There game 5 win over the suns
They ran
Giannis
Holiday
Middleton
Connaughton
Lopez/Tucker/Portis
You could say Suns were inferior competition, compared to now. I would agree.
You could say that was before Gainnis got old and hurt.
Maybe thats right
@redwoodcurtain
Middleton, Lopez and especially Holiday were hardly “role players” at the time during the Bucks championship run.
The Bucks will wait until the offseason.
Only way he goes to GSW is if they can find a taker for Green that includes a 1st round pick but we all know that is not happening.
My prediction
90% chance Giannis will be traded in next 19 hours
Team GM prediction
20% chance to be traded
Bucks get
McDaniel
Randle
Dilingham
Picks (Reid traded for 2 Firsts and bad contracts)
Wolves get
Giannis
Prince
If happens
Wolves are not title contenders this year
Need depth
Return on bad contracts
The Wolves ARE NOT going to trade Randle, Reid AND McDaniels. There won’t be enough left. Ant and Giannis (and Donte) alone can’t beat teams 2-3 on 5. Depth is key. That’s why Denver hasn’t won the last five rings with the best player on the planet. They have two good sidekicks players ion Murray and Gordon but had zero depth after that. They spent the offseason getting good depth NOT super talent.
It’s also (albeit injuries) why Dame and Giannis never worked.
Even Shaq and Kobe had ballers with them.
I put it at 50/50. Bucks will probably go to trading him at the end of the year when they can get a lotto pick in this year’s draft. This year’s draft is very deep so anyone in the top 10 should be a good pick.
@Sillivan
We will see – the consensus from the media is that they won’t trade him until the offseason.
I would hate this move for the Wolves.
I don’t think Giannis and Gobert works together. Their bench is basically Naz Reid and McDaniels contributes so much to their defence. Plus Randle is fine, as long as he’s not asked to be a number 1.
The Wolves aren’t that far off, they don’t need to make a drastic move. They pulled the bandaid off with Kat, they just need a piece or two.
If they can bring in a guard from the Bulls, that would be a terrific start.
Giannis played very well with brook lopez and gobert is just better Lopez that cant shoot so I think they would have a fit
What im scared about in a t wolves trade is them having zero bench so if one gets injured they are donezo
It is funny.
The experts on here say that the Warriors have no chance for Giannis. You are delusional, a Homer, entitled for thinking that way.
But, all the reporting says that they currently have the best shot.
Who do I do I believe? Anonymous internet posters or people in touch with NBA executives. That is a tough one.
To me, this is fine in the short term. But, what about long term. What is the plan.
It’s probably the Dubs fans that are Homers.
Report out yesterday that said Giannis does not want to join Steph/Warriors. BTW, why is Kerr always sitting Steph out against the A guards? Doesn’t want him embarrassed? The game vs the 76ers was a joke…
Oh Skippy. Do you enjoy being ignorant. Everyone knows that Curry is out with a knee problem. Hell, they have even interviewed doctors about it.
According to rumors he wants to be on the T-wolves or the heat. He sees them as a better chance to win a championship. The other problem is the Bucks don’t want Green. Warriors need to do a rebuild not a play in spot.
All the reporting plus what the other teams are saying is that the bucks are going to wait until the offseason and let Giannis rehab (tank).
So the GSW best shot narrative doesn’t really mean much.
You need to read the article again. It says that other teams executives are skeptical of the Heat acquiring Giannis. Minnesota doesn’t have the picks. So, Golden State does have the best shot right now.
So, it is plausible to think that the Dubs do have a shot. It doesn’t make one entitled.
Unless the reports are coming directly from the Bucks, then it’s all just speculation. The reporters are saying the Warriors have the best shot because they can offer young players and picks (which most other teams can only offer one or the other), but that doesn’t mean its the best offer…the Bucks might value players or picks from another team more even if the perceived value or haul is less. Like speculatively speaking, the Bucks might like Herro the most of all the players being offered because he’s the most proven of the speculated young players and from Milwaukee so they might be willing to take a lower return from the Heat if they like their package the best.
And at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is either (A) Giannis is willing to sign an extension with whoever trades for him or (B) a team is willing to try and convince Giannis to sign an extension after trading him. If Giannis is only willing to sign an extension with one team and no other team is willing to make the trade with no extension guarantee, then it really doesn’t matter who has the best offer.
It has always been my belief that the more you hear about a trade; the less likely it is to happen. Who knew about Jaren Jackson, Vucevic…I can go on.
It is all speculation until it happens. So, it is not wrong to believe that Warriors can acquire Giannis. I don’t think they should.
Call this Bucks phase “The Myles Turner Years “.
Giannis ALONE is not the answer or solution for GSW to win another ring. Perhaps hope for Utah to flip JJJ, also look into Lopez from LAC, Powell from Dallas, Portis also from the Bucks or ?? Again, GA alone and sacrificing the future isn’t going to make this GSW team an immediate contender!
GSW only 4 games out of the #4 spot, btw. You are being hysterical. They are pretty good. Giannis will turn them into a juggernaut, and even moreso when Jimmy comes back. Everyone on here underestimates Giannis’s and Steph’s gravity and effect on the rest of the league. Literally every team will shudder when this trade is announced. If they stay healthy, they are chipping.