Giannis Antetokounmpo Leaves Door Open for Bucks Exit Amid Roster Issues, Claims Insider

He could have asked out in the summer. He didn’t. Instead, he let the season approach, then left breadcrumbs again. Why now? As one analyst put it, “Either commit or don’t. Either ask out or don’t.” But Giannis seems intent on keeping that ventilation flowing. Part of this is contract timing. Giannis has three years left on his deal, including a player option. That’s NBA speak for “leverage.” Every season he declines to extend is another season the Milwaukee Bucks must prove they’re worthy of his prime. And in 2025, the reality is harsh.

Myles Turner was a strong pickup as a rim protector who fits alongside Giannis and has been stretching the floor at 36.2% from deep career-wide. But Turner alone doesn’t transform a roster that lost an All-NBA guard in Lillard and an anchor in Lopez. The irony? Giannis publicly praised Turner. “He’s one of the bigs that we can fit so well together,” he said. And while Turner’s presence helps, Giannis’ history with Milwaukee shows why one move won’t calm the doubts.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo “kicking doors open” matters for the Bucks heading into 2025-26 

He delivered them their first championship in 50 years in 2021, staying when everyone thought he’d bolt. He told streamer IShowSpeed this summer that he would “probably” stay in Milwaukee, then added, “I love Milwaukee.” Which is comforting for the Bucks, sure. But that “probably” is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Meanwhile, Bucks owner Wes Edens told the media he had a “great conversation” with Giannis in June, claiming he reaffirmed his commitment. Giannis later denied remembering such a meeting. Awkward? More than a little. And it only fueled speculation that while he hasn’t demanded a trade, he’s not exactly chaining himself to the city either.

The Bucks’ cap sheet is another layer. Stretching Lillard’s contract created $20 million in dead money per year. That’s a massive obstacle when you’re trying to build around a maxed-out superstar. They also brought back Thanasis Antetokounmpo on a one-year, $2.9 million deal, which helps keep the family ties intact but doesn’t move the needle competitively.

Giannis’ competitive fire, though, is no secret. “As long as we are in for a championship, as long as nobody’s comfortable, as long as everybody’s sacrificing the same amount of time and sweat and blood that I’ve sacrificed for this city to win a championship, we are all good,” he said recently. That’s the bar. The Bucks know it. The rest of the league knows it. And the Knicks, already rumored to be keeping close tabs, definitely know it.

There’s also the human side, because of course. Giannis has often spoken about wanting to play with his brothers. Thanasis is back, but Kostas and Alex aren’t in Milwaukee. Asked about teaming up with them, he said: “Yes, why not? We’re one away.” That’s a family-first mindset that could one day pull him elsewhere in a heartbeat. Still, Milwaukee has one ace up its sleeve. The Eastern Conference.

With injuries elsewhere and no juggernaut standing tall, the Bucks can talk themselves into contention. Giannis, even at his most skeptical, can put up MVP-level numbers and drag an imperfect roster deep into the playoffs. But how long does he want to be carrying a franchise on his shoulders? Every time Giannis leaves the door open, the speculation train roars louder. Maybe he’s bluffing, buying leverage. Maybe he’s serious, and the Knicks, or someone else, are already planning their pitch.

Which brings us to the fact that Milwaukee can’t afford to treat his hints as background noise. They’ve got to treat every season like it’s an audition for his loyalty. For now, Giannis is a Buck. He’s still dunking and dominating. But he’s also still leaving the door open. And until the Bucks slam it shut with roster moves that match his ambitions, the entire league will keep peeking inside, wondering when he finally walks through.