Giannis Calls Co-Owner’s Trade Remark ‘A Slap in My Face’
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said he felt “a slap in my face” when he learned that team co-owner and current governor Wes Edens publicly suggested the franchise would either extend or trade him before the final season of his contract.
Edens told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne two weeks ago that Antetokounmpo is “going into the last year” of his deal in 2026-27 and that the Bucks cannot “afford” to let him play out that season without an extension. “Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded,” Edens said.
Speaking with reporter Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Antetokounmpo, 31, said he first saw the comments when ESPN published its story. “It says a lot,” the two-time MVP noted, describing the lack of direct communication as disrespectful.
Limited Contact With Ownership
Antetokounmpo recalled only one conversation with Edens during the 2025-26 campaign, conducted via Zoom. Co-owner Jimmy Haslam also joined that call, and Antetokounmpo said he spoke to Haslam one additional time. ESPN previously reported that the Bucks’ governorship alternates every five years between Edens and Haslam, with Haslam scheduled to take over in 2028, while shareholder Jamie Dinan participates in major decisions.
Contract Status
The nine-time All-Star is set to earn $58.5 million in 2026-27 and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. On Oct. 1 he becomes eligible for a four-year maximum extension; declining that option would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Frustration Over Public Discussion
Antetokounmpo questioned whether other franchises would speak publicly about trading their superstars, citing Denver’s Nikola Jokić and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as examples. He reiterated his commitment to Milwaukee but urged that future talks with ownership remain private. “It is disrespectful to my teammates, to my coaching staff, to say I don’t want to be here,” he said.
The forward added that he no longer feels comfortable confiding in anyone in the front office, including general manager Jon Horst, with whom communication has dwindled. A Bucks employee was instructed to monitor his Journal Sentinel interview, he noted.
Ongoing NBA Inquiry
The league continues to investigate Milwaukee for potential player participation policy violations amid disagreements over whether Antetokounmpo is healthy enough to play this season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
