Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said he has no intention of leaving the franchise, telling The Athletic after Wednesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors that asking for a trade “will never happen.”
“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment that I will come out and say I want a trade. That’s not in my nature,” Antetokounmpo said, emphasizing each word.
Trade chatter follows offseason overhaul
The two-time MVP has been linked to trade speculation since Milwaukee’s first-round playoff exit last spring—its third straight early departure—and the subsequent Achilles tendon tear suffered by Damian Lillard. In response, the Bucks waived Lillard and signed center Myles Turner during the offseason, reshaping the roster around Antetokounmpo.
An October report indicated Milwaukee and the New York Knicks explored a possible Antetokounmpo deal after the forward reportedly expressed interest in New York. In December, another report said representatives for the 31-year-old had reopened discussions with the Bucks regarding his future.
Agent talks, personal commitment
Antetokounmpo told reporters those conversations involved his agent, Alex Saratsis, not him. Speaking to The Athletic, he repeated that he can only control “what comes out of my mouth” and has never indicated he is disengaged from the team.
“I am invested in this team. I want to turn this team around. I want to stay healthy, help my teammates and win games,” he said. “I’m locked in.”
“As of today” caveat
When asked whether he had definitively ruled out a future trade request, Antetokounmpo replied, “As of today,” comparing his stance to the ever-changing nature of personal relationships. He added that outside speculation “doesn’t affect” him and that his focus remains on basketball.
Season statistics and contract status
Milwaukee is 16-21 overall but 13-10 when Antetokounmpo plays. He is averaging 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 29.0 minutes per game while shooting .645 from the field and .406 from three-point range.
The six-time All-NBA selection is earning $54.1 million this season and is owed $58.5 million in 2026-27, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. He becomes eligible for a contract extension in October.
Source: HoopsRumors
