Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Keep Options Open Depending On How Milwaukee Bucks Start Season
Giannis Antetokounmpo will keep his options open depending on how the Milwaukee Bucks start the 2025-26 season, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.
Antetokounmpo thought about requesting a trade from the Bucks this offseason.
“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.”
The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. Indiana also defeated Milwaukee in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. Since then, Milwaukee has won only one playoff series.
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 with the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo finished third in MVP voting last season. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 60.1% from the field and made the All-NBA First Team.
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.
Antetokounmpo doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
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