Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s True Feelings on Playing for Bucks Revealed Amid Trade Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated May 14, 2025 2:22 PM ET

Shams Charania of ESPN generated shockwaves on Monday when he reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo is open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time in his career.

The Bucks have won only one postseason series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. Antetokounmpo and Co. have lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs two years in a row.

Since Damian Lillard could miss the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his left Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Pacers series, some believe Antetokounmpo should request a trade from the Bucks this summer.

It's worth mentioning that Antetokounmpo doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.

The offseason hasn't started yet, so we don't know what Antetokounmpo plans to do. However, according to Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Greek Freak "loves" Milwaukee.

"To be clear, league sources have told the Journal Sentinel throughout the season and again after the first-round playoff loss that Antetokounmpo loves Milwaukee, has never had any intent on playing elsewhere, and has never claimed otherwise," Owczarski wrote.

The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54.1 million next season.

A two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. He entered the NBA in 2013.

Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks this season. The entire NBA world will be paying close attention to see what the superstar does this offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: