Winning the 2021 NBA Finals was a career highlight for Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks. But since then, however, the franchise hasn’t come close to that same championship mark just a few years ago. The team has seen three first-round exits in a row, and as time passes, Antetokounmpo’s future on the Bucks could be at stake.
Months ago, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo had expressed interest in exploring other opportunities to play outside Milwaukee. While the news might sound minimal, it became a big deal because the superstar has been extremely loyal to the franchise throughout his career.
But while being honest about his future, the Greek Freak has been clear that he wants to continue to fight for championships, whether it is with the Bucks or not.
“The same thing I’ve been saying my whole career, I want to be in a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think it’s a disservice to basketball, just to the game, to not want it to compete in a high level, to want your season to end in April.”
As the season approaches and pressure builds on the Bucks to build a championship-contending team, the future of Antetokounmpo as their franchise star starts to be questioned. He is coming off a third-place MVP finish and leading Greece to a bronze medal in the EuroBasket Tournament, he is still near the peak of his career with more to accomplish.
Giannis Antetokounmpo On His Future
After Charania’s reporting and the ensuing speculation, both Bucks general manager Jon Horst and managing governor Wes Edens have continued to say they believe Antetokounmpo wants to stay in Milwaukee. Citing a summer meeting with the star, Edens said Antetokounmpo expressed his commitment to the franchise..
“I had a great conversation with Giannis back in June out here, and he made it clear that he was very committed to Milwaukee,” Edens said. “He likes being here. He likes his family being here.”
When asked about his side of the story in that meeting, Antetokounmpo denied it ever happened.
“I can’t recall that meeting,” Antetokounmpo replied.
While this is the first public offseason Antetokounmpo has openly expressed a potential interest in joining a new team, he said it isn’t the first time he’s had that thought. While his past and future with Milwaukee are important, the superstar said winning titles is his priority.
“It’s not the first time.” Antetokounmpo said, according to ESPN. “I had the same thoughts two years ago. I had the same thoughts five years ago. It is never going to change. I want to be among the best. I want to compete with the best, and I want to win another championship.”
In an era of the NBA in which players jump around more than ever before, Antetokounmpo is one of the longest-tenured players in the league playing for just one team. While he’s proven loyal, the Bucks’ roster looks a lot different than the one that finished victorious in 2021. The front office remains confident he’ll stay, but if the season starts badly, the superstar could force his way out like many before him.
New-Look Bucks In 2025-26
Besides having the Greek Freak still near his peak performance, the Bucks signed Myles Turner as their one big addition this summer. They re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., and Taurean Prince, but notably lost Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Pat Connaughton.
Lillard’s Achilles injury and being waived by the team were the biggest dominoes over the past year. Their star point guard left, and the team failed to fill that hole this summer. While the Turner addition was big, Milwaukee failed to surround its superstar with top talent in a down year in the Eastern Conference.
Still, Antetokounmpo shared his excitement about the roster for this season. While Milwaukee held its preseason media day events in the United States, Antetokounmpo did his from Greece. He recently tested positive for COVID, and instead stayed in his home country for his media events.
“I’m really bummed that I’m not able to be there from Day 1,” Antetokounmpo said in a Zoom call with reporters. “I want my teammates to feel my presence and feel my seriousness and how much I want to compete and for us to have a great year, but at the end of the day they will understand and if I’m not there today to see them I’ll be there in a few days and we can get the ball rolling.”
With his future unknown, Antetokounmpo said his faith is with his teammates rather than anyone else, including the front office.
“I believe in my teammates,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s pretty much it. I believe in the people around me. I believe in my teammates…Hopefully, we can get on the same page and understand what’s at risk right now.”
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