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Giannis leaves door open for potential Bucks exit

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves door open for Bucks exit

By Colum Dell | Last updated 9/13/23

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the few NBA superstars who has remained loyal to his original team. However, that doesn't mean he'd be against the idea of going elsewhere if he doesn't believe he can win another title in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo has spent the past 10 seasons with the Bucks and is the franchise leader in multiple career categories, including games played (719). In 2021, he led the Bucks to their second championship, but the last two seasons haven't gone as planned, and it appears that the 28-year-old is growing impatient for another ring.

On the "48 Minutes" podcast, Antetokounmpo explained that while he can see himself being a Buck for life, he'd be open to leaving for a "better situation" if the team isn't as committed to winning as he is.

"As long as we play and approach the game every single day the right way and we all sacrifice for the common goal, I can see myself being a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career," Antetokounmpo said. "But the moment I feel like people are not [as] committed as I am ... I am not."

"I'm a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly, I'm a winner ...," he added. "... If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien, I have to take that better situation."

"I'm a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I'm a winner. ... If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien I have to take that better situation."

Giannis on his future with the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/XzucRXtmOv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 13, 2023

Last season, the Bucks earned the unfortunate distinction of becoming the sixth No. 1 seed in NBA history to lose to the No. 8 seed when the Heat knocked them out in five games. As a result, changes needed to be made, leading Milwaukee to fire two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer and replace him with Adrian Griffin.

Although in free agency, the Bucks didn't make any needle-moving transactions to boost their 2023-24 title odds, with their most notable signings being sizable extensions for All-Stars Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez.

Even with the coaching change and overall lack of improvements on the roster, there shouldn't be too much panic about Antetokounmpo leaving the Bucks just yet. Still, it's worth noting that this isn't the first time this offseason that he has mentioned a potential future outside of Milwaukee.

During an interview with The New York Times last month, Antetokounmpo admitted he would be reluctant to sign an extension if the Bucks aren't in a position to be perennial contenders.

“[Milwaukee] is my team, and it’s going to forever be my team ... But at the end of the day, being a winner, it’s over that goal,” Antetokounmpo said. “Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”

While every team would make a run for the "Greek Freak" should he become available, NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that the Lakers and Knicks "are already being mentioned" as enticing destinations for Antetokounmpo.

Nevertheless, Antetokounmpo is under contract through at least the next two seasons and has a player option for 2025-26. Although, in light of Antetokounmpo issuing yet another warning to the franchise, Milwaukee must prove its championship window isn't closing any time soon or it might have to start fielding offers for the seven-time All-Star next offseason.

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