“I Want To Be In A Situation That I Can Win”: Giannis Antetokounmpo Issues Statement On His Future With Milwaukee Bucks
NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo thought about requesting a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
The Bucks and New York Knicks had conversations about an Antetokounmpo trade, but trade talks never got serious.
Antetokounmpo, who desperately wants to win another championship, issued a rather strong statement on his future with the Bucks amid trade rumors.
“I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here,” Antetokounmpo said. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go and it’s definitely going to be hard.
“Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want, but I’m locked in. I’m locked in to this team.”
Antetokounmpo will keep his options open depending on how the Bucks start the 2025-26 season, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN. Milwaukee has lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row.
A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. Since then, Milwaukee has won only one playoff series.
“It is expected that Giannis Antetokounmpo will keep his options open depending on how the Milwaukee Bucks start the season, according to league sources,” Charania wrote. “From the outset of the season, the pressure is apparent throughout the organization like never before. It’s seen as a make-or-break season in Milwaukee. Stakeholders within the organization understand that the first quarter of the campaign will hold significant weight for the future direction. Antetokounmpo will also have a grip on teams across the league this season because franchises will want to ensure they are positioned well in the seismic event of his trade.”
One of the best players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. The future Hall of Famer has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.
The Bucks will only trade Antetokounmpo if he requests a trade. The Greek Freak will make $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.
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