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Milwaukee Bucks Fans Apr 7, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) waves to fans while holding his child, Shia, during ceremony recognizing his accomplishments during 10 years with the team before game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks: Mainstream Media Finally Admits Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Isn’t Happening

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 2:38 PM ET

Finally, it’s happened. Following multiple reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlikely to leave the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, national media is backtracking on its insistence that a trade is in the works. Tuesday morning on ESPN’s “Get Up” show, insider Brian Windhorst pumped the brakes on the incessant rumors.

Giannis Has Said Nothing to Milwaukee Bucks About Requesting a Trade…

Ever since Shams Charania reported that Giannis was approaching the offseason “open-minded” about his future, the rumor mill has been churning out a slew of mock trades and scenarios, some more intriguing than others – some worth a look, some not so much.

Certainly Charania’s report may have been alarming, but for now, those trade whispers are all but dead.

“Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone overseas to travel with his family,” Windhorst told host Mike Greenberg on “Get Up.” Right off the bat, the mundanity of this information borders on hilarious in the face of fervent trade speculation consuming offseason NBA coverage: a man – son, brother, husband, father – spending time with his family. Imagine that.

Windhorst continued, “He has made no trade request to the Bucks. He has made no trade hint to the Bucks. The Bucks are proceeding with their offseason as if Giannis is going to be with them, and there’s no significant trade talks right now. The plan is for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be a Buck.”

Months of speculation have led to a conclusion many Bucks fans already assumed was true. The face of the franchise isn’t going anywhere, not yet at least. In year thirteen, he will lead Milwaukee in pursuit of its 10th consecutive playoff berth as a perennial MVP balloter and top three player in the game.

Milwaukee Bucks: Mainstream Media Finally Admits Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Isn't Happening 2 Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Will National Focus Shift to Milwaukee’s Relevant Concerns?

For those still incredulous, Windhorst reiterated his previous statement later in the show, indicating a mutual lack of interest in parting ways.

“Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market. There is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him.”

In that case, national Bucks coverage should feel free to shift its focus where the team is most likely to actually impact the offseason market: talent acquisition, rather than subtraction. Monday evening, reports surfaced that the Jazz are aggressively looking to unload Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, productive guards on expiring contracts. Both are players the Bucks could target. With Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury, their status is worth monitoring.

2 Intriguing Milwaukee Bucks Targets Being Aggressively Shopped by Utah Jazz 2 Feb 4, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

“Proceeding as if Giannis is going to be with them,” as Windhorst describes the Bucks’ offseason activity, is one and the same with attempting to optimize the roster for another postseason run. When you have one of the world’s best players, you have an obligation to try and win, even in a so-called “gap year” like the Bucks could consider as Lillard recovers.

Doing otherwise – conceding a season of Giannis’ prime – would be a waste. Superstars don’t exactly grow on trees. And with Milwaukee’s poor draft stock, they are unlikely to draft another one anytime soon.

After all Giannis has done for the franchise, the Bucks owe it to him to compete. Rather than Greek Freak trade fantasies, maybe now mainstream networks will cover what moves Milwaukee can make to improve the team around him.

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

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