Shams Charania reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s camp floated the idea that there’s a possibility that he will leave the Milwaukee Bucks eventually in case they don’t remain competitive while he is on his peak. New York Knicks is the one team that he is interested joining according to the report. That is a standard attitude of a superstar putting pressure on the front office but for Charles Barkley, he thinks it is the Bucks star feeling entitled.
“Giannis feels like he’s entitled to win a championship every year,” the NBA legend said during an appearance at the Rich Eisen show.
“Everyone wants to win a championship, man. The Bucks have done everything they can. Him thinking ‘If I don’t win the title this year, I want out.’… I hate hearing that.”
The one-time MVP went on to enumerate how the Bucks front office tried to bring him players to be able to do what he wants to accomplish.
“I wish a person loved me as much as the Bucks love Giannis. I really do,” he continued.
“They went out and got him Dame Lillard. They went out and got him Myles Turner. They have done everything possible to try to make the Bucks win again. So the notion that he don’t feel like they’re doing everything in their power — they have done everything.”
“These guys, they feel like they’re entitled to play for the championship every year. … Everybody wants to win a championship, but the Bucks have done everything they possibly could.”
Charles Barkley weighs in on Giannis’ reported interest in joining the Knicks 👀
Stream… pic.twitter.com/mPu2vhdZyJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 9, 2025
Antetokounmpo immediately responded to the report saying it is just human in case he wants more about his legacy but insisted that he is focused on their current campaign.
“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,” he told reporters.
“I’m locked in to this team. I’m locked in to these guys, to this group and to this coaching staff and to myself.”
Charles Barkley got it wrong?
Was it really a feeling of entitlement? Many superstars have done this in the past. Even the late Kobe Bryant tried to initiate a trade after the Los Angeles Lakers flopped in mid-2000s after the departure of Shaquille O’Neal. Lebron James did it twice although he was not traded. He only signed with another team as a free agent.
Barkley himself had to move from one team to another to remain competitive.
This is why some Bucks fans thought Barkley, who defended Giannis many times before, was in the wrong with his take here. Some fans pointed out the strength of the squad that Giannis played with over the years and this season.
“The Bucks have done everything they can” pic.twitter.com/liCEcKLiwE
— Davey (@Daveydelphia76) October 9, 2025
Barkley calling out entitlement? That’s rich coming from the guy who once said he’d kiss a donkey for a title. Giannis is just the modern LeBron, betting on himself over fading rosters.
Who’s the real entitled one here?
— April Fools.com (@AprilFools_com) October 9, 2025
Charles Barkley SLAMS Giannis Antetokounmpo 😳:
“These guys, they feel like they’re entitled to play for the championship every year…”
Heavy words coming from a guy who notoriously never won a Chip…..🥶
— FlightMike (Mikerophone) (@TheFlightMike) October 9, 2025
giannis more than almost any star player in recent times deserves to put feelers out at the back end of his career. he’s been loyal and put almost no pressure on them in that fashion. charles always seems jealous he didn’t have this freedom.
— Based (@BasedBucketss) October 9, 2025
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