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.
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?
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.
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.
Next year Warriors will be title contenders
As expected Draymond goes to third team, on auction
Klay on auction
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
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