Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear: his heart is still in Milwaukee. But with the NBA trade deadline looming and the Bucks sitting well outside the playoff picture, his future with the franchise that drafted him 13 years ago is anything but certain.
In a pair of recent interviews, Antetokounmpo doubled down on his desire to stay with the Bucks and chase another championship in the city where he became a superstar. “If you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” he said.
“I want to win here, another championship. And if you can tell me that’s possible, let’s just hang up the phone.”
That’s the dream. But the reality? It’s getting tougher to ignore.
Milwaukee entered this week with a 19-29 record, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference. For a team just five years removed from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, that’s a steep slide.
Even more concerning: the Bucks have been bounced in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. That kind of stagnation puts pressure on everyone - from the front office to the franchise cornerstone.
And that’s why trade rumors are swirling.
Multiple reports suggest the Bucks are at least open to the idea of a reset, with Antetokounmpo as the centerpiece of those conversations. ESPN recently noted that the two-time MVP is “ready for a new home,” though Giannis himself has pushed back on that narrative.
Just a month ago, he told The Athletic he would “never” request a trade. But he also made it clear that staying only makes sense if winning is still on the table.
“I want to be here, but I want to be here to win,” he said. “Not fighting for my life to make the playoffs. I’m not used to inconsistent basketball.”
His frustration is visible - not just in his words, but in his body language during games. And it’s understandable.
At 31, Giannis is still putting up elite numbers - 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game - but he’s currently sidelined with a calf strain that’s expected to keep him out for another month. That only adds more uncertainty to an already murky situation.
Several teams are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. The Knicks, Heat, Warriors, and Timberwolves are all considered potential landing spots should Milwaukee decide to pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal. Each team offers a different mix of assets, timelines, and appeal - and some, like the Knicks and Heat, could sweeten their offers even more in the offseason when additional first-round picks become available.
The Warriors, meanwhile, have already begun internal discussions about potential trade packages. One name that’s surfaced: Draymond Green. The 35-year-old forward confirmed that head coach Steve Kerr had spoken to him about the possibility of being moved.
“I’ve been here for 13½ years,” Green said. “I don’t know that it ends at 13½, but if it does, what a f-ing run it’s been.”
Milwaukee, for its part, tried to retool last summer. They waived an injured Damian Lillard using the stretch provision to manage his cap hit and signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal.
But the results haven’t followed. And it’s worth noting that the Bucks reportedly had trade discussions with the Knicks about Antetokounmpo even back then.
So where does that leave things?
Giannis is still saying all the right things - that he wants to win in Milwaukee, that he wants to be part of the solution. But he’s also realistic.
“If that is not possible to happen,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “and if then you realize maybe that’s not the case and maybe they’re looking elsewhere and that’s not what they’re trying to do, then automatically you have to be in the plans of what they’re trying to do or weigh the other options. It’s normal.”
That’s the tension at the heart of this situation. Giannis doesn’t want to leave - but he wants to win. And if those two goals can’t coexist in Milwaukee, the Bucks may be forced to make a decision that reshapes the franchise for years to come.
The clock is ticking. Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline could bring clarity - or it could just be the beginning of a long offseason filled with even tougher choices.