Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently in the midst of a three-year, $175 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. The contract will keep him tied to the franchise through the end of the 2027–28 season. Despite that long-term commitment, the offseason was filled with widespread speculation surrounding his future.
At one point, reports suggested that Giannis had at least weighed the possibility of joining the New York Knicks. However, the Bucks superstar ultimately dismissed all such rumors and made it clear that his heart remains in Milwaukee.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Antetokounmpo went as far as stating that he fully intends to finish his NBA career with the Bucks.
“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say ‘I want a trade,’” Guannis said. “That’s not in my nature, I’m not going anywhere. I’m invested in this team.”
EXCLUSIVE: Amid speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo might ask for a trade before the Feb. 5 deadline, he sounded like a man committed to his cause when speaking to @sam_amick.
But his stance on the four-year, $275M extension he’s eligible for on Oct. 1 will speak volumes. pic.twitter.com/ZWv4ZEFnXZ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 8, 2026
“I want to turn this team around. I want to play good basketball. I want to be healthy. I want to help my teammates. I wanna win games. I’m locked the f*** in. I’m locked in. My priority is just staying healthy.”
Several teams around the league have reportedly monitored the Bucks closely during their difficult season. However, Milwaukee has consistently maintained that trading Giannis has never been an option. The organization remains committed to keeping its franchise cornerstone in place.
In that spirit, the Bucks added Giannis’ brothers, Alex Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, to the organization. The front office is also keeping a close watch on the trade market in hopes of making roster upgrades that align with his championship ambitions.
NBA Insider Details Bucks’ Aggressive Trade Mindset to Satisfy Giannis Antetokounmpo
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported that Milwaukee is willing to take bold steps in pursuit of immediate success, including potentially putting its 2031 first-round pick on the table to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The overwhelming majority among rival executives is the Bucks will make an aggressive trade to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo before the deadline,” Sidery reported. “Instead of trading Giannis, it’s more likely Milwaukee offers up their 2031 1st-round pick in a deal to make one last win-now push.”
At present, the Bucks sit as the No. 11 seed in the West with a 16–21 record, going 5–5 over their last ten games. However, Bucks fans can take comfort in knowing their superstar remains committed. Optimism is now growing that Milwaukee’s aggressive efforts to strengthen the roster could still spark a legitimate championship run.
