Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miss Start of Bucks Camp With COVID-19, Reiterates Title Focus
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Milwaukee, WI — Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out the opening days of the Milwaukee Bucks’ training camp after testing positive for COVID-19, head coach Adrian Griffin confirmed Monday. The two-time NBA MVP addressed reporters remotely from Greece during the team’s media day, restating his commitment to chasing another championship.
Giannis: “I want to compete at a high level”
Speaking via Zoom, Antetokounmpo said every offseason report about his long-term future contains “some truth” but emphasized his priority remains winning. “I want to be on a team that gives me a chance to win a championship,” he said. “The last three years we’ve been eliminated in the first round, so there’s not much to talk about. We’ve got to lock in and not let the season end in April.”
Bucks co-owner Wes Edens told reporters earlier Monday that he and Antetokounmpo held a “great conversation” in June and that the nine-time All-Star is “very committed to Milwaukee.” Giannis said he did not recall that specific discussion but expressed confidence in the roster.
Turner headlines offseason upgrades
Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis praised the acquisition of center Myles Turner. Giannis called the move “incredible,” while Portis noted the trio’s similar age. “We can grow together,” Portis said. “You can’t really find three better bigs on another team.”
Edens said becoming “younger and more athletic” was a guiding principle during the summer. General manager Jon Horst added that the roster is built to “maximize Giannis,” and vice versa. “This team is hungry to earn whatever we get,” Horst said.
A.J. Green extension talks ongoing
Horst confirmed discussions with guard A.J. Green, who enters the final year of his contract and can reach unrestricted free agency in 2026. “We’d love to have A.J. with us for a long time,” the GM said, calling the 24-year-old “underrated” on both ends of the floor.
Roster competition expected
Milwaukee currently has 15 players on fully guaranteed deals. Andre Jackson Jr. holds a partial guarantee, and Amir Coffey is in camp on a non-guaranteed contract. Horst said as many as 21 players “deserve a chance” to make the team and predicted a “best-player, best-man-wins” battle for the final spots, including the club’s three two-way positions.
Training camp opens Tuesday at the Bucks’ practice facility. Antetokounmpo will rejoin the team once he clears health and safety protocols.
Source: Hoops Rumors
