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Bucks take playful jab at NBA insider over Giannis Antetokounmpo reports

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 3:32 PM ET

The Bucks are standing by their star, and they are not shy about poking fun at one of the NBA’s top newsbreakers along the way.

Earlier this summer, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo was open to being traded. That set off plenty of speculation, though the Bucks maintained all along that they expected him to remain in Milwaukee. With training camp on the horizon, that appears to be the case.

And now the Bucks are having some fun with it. While Antetokounmpo was playing in EuroBasket, the team’s social media account fired off a jab.

“Giannis exploring his options with 4 AST in the first 8 minutes vs. Spain,” the Bucks wrote on X.

It was a not-so-subtle shot at Charania’s reporting and a reminder that Antetokounmpo never went anywhere. The two-time MVP averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season and remains the centerpiece of everything Milwaukee does.

Giannis exploring his options with 4 AST in the first 8 minutes vs. Spain.

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 4, 2025

The Bucks added veteran center Myles Turner this offseason in hopes of giving Antetokounmpo more reason to stay long term. Turner is expected to serve as the team’s second option, and the Bucks are banking on his fit alongside their franchise cornerstone.

As for Charania, he has stood by his reporting, insisting that it was accurate at the time. But it is safe to say the Bucks won’t be rushing to leak anything his way after this saga.

Other teams may revisit the situation closer to the trade deadline, but for now, Giannis is still in Milwaukee — and the Bucks are happy to let Shams know it.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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