In an exclusive interview with Lori Nickel of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscriber link), Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo says he felt disrespected by the comments co-owner and current governor Wes Edens made to ESPN a couple weeks ago.
“Giannis is going into the last year (of his contract),” Edens told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”
While those comments could be interpreted as an ultimatum, Antetokounmpo told Nickel he views it a little differently.
“For me, it’s like a slap in my face,” Antetokounmpo said.
Antetokounmpo will earn $58.5MM in 2026/27, followed by a $62.8MM player option for ’27/28. He’ll become eligible on October 1 to sign a four-year, maximum-salary extension (the exact value would depend on where the ’27/28 cap ends up). If he doesn’t sign an extension and opts out of that player option, he would be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The 31-year-old forward told the Journal Sentinel he found out about Edens’ stance when ESPN’s story was released. Antetokounmpo admits he wasn’t thrilled with the indirect communication.
“It says a lot …” Antetokounmpo said.
According to Nickel, the two-time MVP wasn’t “angry” or “accusatory” when he answered questions, but he was “straightforward.”
Nickel asked Antetokounmpo how many times he has spoken to Edens during the 2025/26 season, and he only recalled one conversation, which came via Zoom. Co-owner Jimmy Haslam was also on that Zoom call, and Antetokounmpo said he talked to Haslam one additional time.
ESPN reported that Milwaukee has an unusual ownership structure that involves the governor title changing hands between co-owners Edens and Jimmy Haslam every five years (Haslam will become governor in 2028). In addition to controlling ownership rotating between those two men, another franchise shareholder, Jamie Dinan, is reportedly involved in major decisions.
Antetokounmpo wondered aloud whether the Nuggets or Thunder would ever make similar comments about Nikola Jokic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, respectively.
“Especially [as] somebody that has been this loyal, and I’ve showed appreciation, to the team, to the community, to the fans, to everybody that I’ve worked with, you know?” Antetokounmpo said. “And that’s almost, like, a slap in my face.”
This isn’t the first time Antetokounmpo and Edens have made differing public comments. Edens told reporters at the Bucks’ media day in late September that he had a “great conversation” with Antetokounmpo last June and that the nine-time All-Star “made it clear that he was very committed to Milwaukee.” At the time, Giannis said he didn’t recall that discussion.
Antetokounmpo reiterated his commitment and love for Milwaukee again during the interview, according to Nickel, who writes that the 10-time All-Star also made it clear he hopes future conversations between he and the Bucks remain private.
“I’m here, I committed, I’m wearing the jersey, and it is disrespectful to my teammates, to my coaching staff, to the people that I go and sweat with, and go to war with, to say, ‘I don’t want to be here’ − and I will never do that,” Antetokounmpo told the Journal Sentinel.
“Now, what goes on in private rooms? It’s not my job, it’s not my responsibility, and it should not − in no shape or form − be shared in public. I believe in etiquette. I believe in human etiquette, I believe in basketball etiquette. So with my owners, I have addressed what I feel and what I believe the situation is.
“Same with my GM, same with my coaches.
“And for me, that [Wes Edens] comment was a slap [in] the face. But, it’s my boss. So I just gotta keep on moving forward.”
A Bucks employee was instructed to listen in on the conversation Antetokounmpo was having with the Journal Sentinel, Nickel writes. Antetokounmpo, who agreed that his contract gave him a degree of leverage this summer, said that while he still speaks to GM Jon Horst, the communication between the two isn’t as regular as it once was. He also made it clear he doesn’t trust the front office.
“Nobody,” he said. “I don’t feel comfortable talking to nobody.”
Antetokounmpo told Nickel he’s been more closed off this season.
“I tried this whole year to stay to myself, and also this past summer,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was more closed off to myself. I don’t know if that’s because I don’t feel comfortable opening up enough. Or if it’s just, I just don’t want to open up at this point.
“It’s definitely not like before.”
The league continues to investigate the Bucks for possible player participation policy violations over disagreements with Antetokounmpo about whether he’s healthy enough to play this season. The Bucks insist the perennial MVP candidate is still injured due to a left knee injury, while Antetokounmpo says he’s ready to play.
“You know who you are dealing with,” Antetokounmpo said Friday. “So for somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face. So, I don’t know where the relationship goes from there.”
Head coach Doc Rivers said after Friday’s loss to Boston that he was tired of being in the middle of the public disagreements between management and Antetokounmpo, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Rivers said it wasn’t up to him whether Antetokounmpo would be active or not.
“I’m out of the business of trying this subliminal messaging or all that crap,” Rivers said. “I’ve heard all the stuff. I just want everybody to be on the same side, (because) they deserve it. All of ‘em. I don’t think there’s a bad person in this group — none of the guys that I’m talking about. I think they’re all good people. But we gotta figure out how to put good people on the same page and it stays inside.”
This story is tired… Giannis needs to fire his PR team. Going scorched earth because you’re pissed you did not get traded is childish.
That’s not it. He’s pissed that the team isn’t on the same page. He has always said that he wants to be in Milwaukee. He also wants the team to be competitive. The front office is messing up this relationship. Giannis will probably be traded in the off-season.
Ye ‘ol “dis culture”. 🙄
It’s so tiresome and does nothing but harm.
I thought Giannis would stay in Milwaukee and to me he is as loyal as can be. But looks like the owners/front office really do want him gone. Bye bye.
Nothing wrong with Eden’s comment at all. They are the Milwaukee Bucks. At the end of the day, they need to do what’s best for the team. Giannis has become a drama queen.
Should have traded him a year ago.
Thanks for the Championship, your jersey will forever hang in the rafters and you’ll always be a local hero.
Good luck in your next destination.
Another bootlicking comment. The owner aint gunna bang you, bro.
Anyone who defends an owner over a player is not right in the head.
Hahaha Davey lives for taking Giannis’ shots
Whoever trades for him is going to regret the trade. His attitude is all about him not the team. Please don’t let it be the warriors. He is going to the next club and just destroy the team’s chemistry.
It’s OK if it’s the Warriors based on two things. No contract extension and don’t give up 4 first round picks.
Giannis appears to not be very bright. That was a super mild statement by the owner.
Also, he wants to be a Laker so bad. But I’m not sure the Lakers want him (and the contortions they’d have to go through to trade for him).
Defending an owner over a player is sickening work, be better.
You don’t know basketball if you disagree with Eden’s’ observation of how to handle Giannis’ contract this summer.
Get over yourself. Edens is a business person and sports is a business. His comments were 100% factually accurate.
So much noise about a declining star
Edens is scum and so is anyone defending an owner over a player. Disgusting behavior. Where do you get off? Your mind is broken, lil bro.
Giannis ain’t gonna be reading this bro. Only explanation is Davey is Thanasis’ burner
Giannis being angered by indirect communication is rich.
Trade me or I am sitting out next season.
Boo hoo what does this guy expect. Not everyone is like the angels with ohtani. If he loves milwaukee that much he should just retire and run for mayor and give his bros position as his assistants.
He’s doing everything but requesting a trade
while the owners are doing everything they can to make him request a trade
Bucks are overpriced his worth. He is not a 4 1st round pick player. Wherever he goes he will leave next year and be a free agent. So his value is not worth much.
These comments about Giannis are pretty rough.
#RIP Gerald Paddio
Bucks front office is so slimy. Free Giannis from that terrible organization!
Ownership is stating exactly what every team thinks and plans for. But no team owner would ever make such a statements publicly. Giannis is simply disappointed that He’s not receiving the proverbial Pat on the back for a job Well done as he goes out the door.
Heck every time I was fired my boss said I did a wonderful job and they were sad to see me go lol. Why wouldn’t Giannis expect the same from his boss?
These media stories about Giannis are getting so annoying, im getting tired of Giannis saying hes committed to Milwaukee while also trying to get out behind the scenes
100%.
He’s playing games when he says he’s letting the Bucks decide what to do. OK not playing games.., he’s lying !!
He wants out but just doesn’t want to voice it. Doesn’t want to take any blame for ruining a franchise and leaving.
Never bothered Shaq or LeBron or KD. They do what’s best for them.
Nothing wrong with Giannis speaking up from himself and doing what’s best for him and his family. Go ahead and ask out if that’s what you want.
With Giannis already stating he’s likely to cheat on his wife once he gets bored of her, no surprise here on these latest, slimy, blame-the-victim comments.