Shams Charania’s has been on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s case since the end of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2024-25 season in the hands of Indiana Pacers. Fans, GM Jon Horst, and head coach Doc Rivers tried to dismiss his reports and even Giannis shaded him for false reporting.
The latest one, however, had a different impact. Most fans appear to be bothered by the report that suggests the Greek Freak’s departure from the team, if every they fail to contend, is almost written on the walls.
“This offseason marked the first time that Antetokounmpo truly initiated the pursuit of his best external options, and he had discussions with the Bucks that ultimately led to the conversations between the franchise and the Knicks,” Charanis wrote on ESPN.
“Fast-forward months now, and he’ll be paying close attention not only to how the Bucks perform to start the season but also to the landscape of the rest of the league.”
Antetokounmpo already insisted that he is committed to the Bucks this season. He is not going anywhere and he is focused on trying to win a title.
He has a condition though.
“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.
#fearthedeer🦌 https://t.co/0rrclKMf3b pic.twitter.com/nXMxlp95ZS
— SleeperBucks (@SleeperBucksNBA) October 8, 2025
As of now, all Bucks can do is prove themselves on the court. Critics are not that high on their 2025-26 campaign with some thinking they are only good as a play-in team.
Doc Rivers recalls Chris Paul situation after this rumor
Rivers and Horst made it known over the summer that they built a team that will surround Antetokounmpo well. The coach has been coaching for so long and this is the reason why he found Charania’s report uninteresting.
“I mean, what are you supposed to say? I’ve been coaching 26, 27 years and one thing that I know is that 30 teams call 30 teams, all right,” he told Eric Nehm’s The Athletic.
He even compared it to the time he was coaching Chris Paul in the Los Angeles Clippers and just like that time, this Giannis trade request does not hold any ground.
“‘Hey, would you like to trade Chris Paul?’ And you say, ‘No.’ That does not constitute a conversation, all right? You know, I read where it said several conversations, well, that never happened,” he explained.
“It was a conversation where a team called, and Jon has been saying no now for 11 years. I don’t know why this is a new story, but I guess it is.”
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