Report: Bucks Have Clear Preference as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Remains Under Intense Scrutiny

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image Credits: Imagn)

Report: Bucks Have Clear Preference as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Remains Under Intense Scrutiny

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Kenny Nosay | Last updated Jun 4, 2026 2:27 AM ET

Giannis Antetokounmpo is widely presumed to become available for a trade in the upcoming offseason. However, even though the Milwaukee Bucks will inevitably have many suitors for their superstar, they still want to retain Giannis.

The Bucks know that trading away the two-time league MVP means they will enter the rebuilding phase. And they are hesitant to go that route. The team knows that Giannis is still in the middle of his prime, and keeping him gives them a chance to win another title—if they can surround him with the proper talent.

So, with everything considered by the Bucks’ upper brass, what will they do? What will be their preference moving forward?

“The Milwaukee Bucks’ preference is to extend Giannis Antetokounmpo,” according to a report from Eric Pincus.

The Milwaukee Bucks preference is to extend Giannis Antetokounmpo, per @EricPincus

(https://t.co/u5Mk3iGcKU) pic.twitter.com/K221yNvzGC
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 3, 2026

This is a logical choice by Milwaukee. They won’t find a player to replace Antetokounmpo’s impact in any trade in the offseason. However, the many-time All-NBA team member cannot do it alone. If team manager Jon Horst can work his magic in the summer and surround their superstar with talent, maybe Giannis will be enticed to stay.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Does Not Want To Play For The Warriors

The Golden State Warriors were one of the teams that were dead serious about trading for Giannis at the February trade deadline. They were reportedly willing to go all-in with their offer, but the Bucks were extremely hesitant to trade their star away. Apparently, there’s another reason why Milwaukee never considered trading Antetokounmpo to the Warriors.

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is not enamored with playing ‘second fiddle’ to Stephen Curry on the Warriors,” per a report from Jake Fischer.

That’s fairly logical from the ‘Greek Freak’s’ perspective. For further context, Kevin Durant played alongside Stephen Curry for a few years. Safe to say that KD’s popularity nosedived during that brief period. Giannis does not want the same thing to happen to him.

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

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