Giannis Stays Put - But For How Long?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in Milwaukee. For now.
After two months of swirling rumors, subtle signals, and not-so-subtle speculation, the Bucks’ franchise cornerstone didn’t request a trade. And Milwaukee didn’t pull the trigger on a deal before the deadline.
Instead, the front office is playing the long game, likely eyeing the offseason when the market opens up and more teams can get involved. But that decision - to wait - might not be in Giannis’ best interest.
At least, that’s how some around the league see it.
Bill Simmons weighed in this week, drawing a parallel between Giannis and another superstar who stayed loyal perhaps a little too long: Kevin Garnett. Back in the early 2000s, Garnett stuck it out with the Timberwolves through years of playoff frustration before finally forcing a trade to Boston in 2007.
The result? A title in his first season with the Celtics.
Simmons believes Giannis could be at risk of repeating that same pattern - waiting too long, watching his prime slip away on a team that’s no longer built to contend.
“They had to trade him and yet they didn’t have to trade him,” Simmons said on his podcast. “It made more sense for the franchise to wait till this summer... but it didn’t make more sense for him to wait.”
He even suggested Giannis should’ve picked up the phone and called KG himself. The message would’ve been clear: don’t wait until it’s too late.
Now, to be fair, the comparison isn’t a perfect one. Garnett spent years carrying a Wolves team that couldn’t break through in the playoffs.
Giannis, on the other hand, already delivered a championship to Milwaukee in 2021 - a title run that cemented his legacy and gave the franchise its first ring in 50 years. That matters.
It’s a big reason why Antetokounmpo hasn’t publicly pushed for a change of scenery. He’s not chasing his first ring - he’s chasing his next one.
But here’s the thing: Giannis has always been clear about what keeps him in Milwaukee. Winning.
Competitiveness. A shot at the title.
And right now, the Bucks are falling short on all fronts.
They’re sitting at 20-29, a team that looks more lottery-bound than playoff-ready. Even in the best-case scenario, they scrape into the Play-In Tournament and likely bow out early.
That’s not the kind of environment a two-time MVP signs up for. That’s not what Giannis promised to stay for.
So the question becomes: how long does he wait?
The Bucks are betting that the offseason brings more suitors, better offers, and a clearer path forward. But every game they lose chips away at the idea that this is a team worth building around. And for Giannis, every game is another reminder that his prime isn’t going to last forever.
He’s still in Milwaukee. But the clock is ticking.