Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo says he is staying put.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Sam Amick after Wednesday’s loss to Golden State, Antetokounmpo delivered his most direct response yet to months of trade speculation, saying he is “locked in” with the Bucks and plans to remain in Milwaukee.
“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment that I will come out and say I want a trade,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s not in my nature.”
Trade talk has followed Giannis since last spring, when Milwaukee was eliminated in the first round for a third straight year and Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles.
The Bucks responded by reshaping the roster in the offseason, including waiving Lillard and signing center Myles Turner in an effort to better support their franchise player.
Reports later surfaced that the Bucks and Knicks briefly discussed Antetokounmpo during the offseason and that his camp revisited conversations about his future in December. Giannis has repeatedly pushed back, saying those discussions involved his agent, Alex Saratsisa, not him.
“I can only control what comes out of my mouth,” Antetokounmpo told Amick. “Not one time have I shown that I’m not invested in this team.”
He did acknowledge the nuance that fuels skepticism. Asked whether he has definitively decided he does not want out of Milwaukee, Giannis replied, “As of today.” He said he is unconcerned if that leaves room for doubt among fans.
“I don’t care,” he said. “I’m invested in this team. I want to turn this team around.”
The Bucks remain in a precarious spot. They are 16-21 overall and sitting just outside the play-in picture, though they are 13-10 when Antetokounmpo is on the floor. In those games, he has played at an MVP level, averaging 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on elite efficiency.
Antetokounmpo is making $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 will be eligible for a contract extension in October.
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