Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo Remains Open-Minded About Leaving Bucks

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains open-minded about leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They have won just one postseason series since winning the 2021 title against the Phoenix Suns in six games. 

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is open-minded and considering other options outside of Milwaukee,” Charania said on the Stephen A. Smith Show. “He has not requested a trade yet, but he remains open-minded, from my understanding. 

“The Bucks, for their part, they’re fully operating like Giannis Antetokounmpo will be back. That’s their messaging to other teams, to free agents when they’re going to go out and sell other free agents come July 1 and sell their own free agents. It’s that Giannis Antetokounmpo is here, let us operate in free agency, operate at the draft, see what moves they can make to get this team better.

“One thing about Giannis is that he always plays things close to the vest. The moment he feels like in Milwaukee they’re not competing for a championship, he’s going to look around. He has said that on the record.”

One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed The Greek Freak to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

Antetokounmpo made the All-NBA First Team this season. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 60.1% from the floor. 

A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets in trade rumors. The Bucks will not trade Antetokounmpo unless he requests a trade.