With more reports surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and a possible trade to the New York Knicks coming to light in recent days, the Milwaukee Bucks star reassured his commitment to his current team.
He said that he could change his mind eventually, but for now, he’s “locked in” with the Bucks.
“First of all, I haven’t read that story. When the season starts, I try to get off social media and I try to focus on my craft and the team, but yeah, I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here,” Antetokounmpo said, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go and it’s definitely going to be hard. We’re going to take it day-by-day, but I’m here. So, all the other extra stuff does not matter. I think I’ve communicated with my teammates, communicated with the people I respect and love that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, I wear this jersey, the rest does not matter. I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind I think that’s human too, you’re allowed to make any decision you want, but I’m locked in. I’m locked in to this team. I’m locked in to these guys, to this group and to this coaching staff and to myself.”
Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee seemed like a realistic possibility heading into the offseason, but the trade talks quieted down in recent months. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that the Bucks and Knicks had engaged in trade talks in August, and New York was the only team Antetokounmpo would entertain being traded to this offseason.
Charania added that the two sides “never got traction on a deal” and the Bucks “insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo.” Charania also noted that “those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade.”
In May, Charania reported that Antetokounmpo was “open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere.” At this point, it seems Antetokounmpo is willing to start the season with the Bucks, but eventually asking out is not inconceivable.
Milwaukee has exited the playoffs in the first round in three consecutive seasons, and its roster heading into the year doesn’t exactly look like a championship-caliber group.
Antetokounmpo has made it clear he wants to compete for a championship, and if at any point he feels that Milwaukee isn’t the place to do that, he could officially ask for a trade.
He also has a player option after the 2026-27 season, so his potential exit could come then, if not before.
For now, he appears committed to working with the Bucks roster to try and compete in what should be a relatively weak Eastern Conference. While Milwaukee no longer has star point guard Damian Lillard, it added center Myles Turner over the offseason, which will give Antetokounmpo some support in the paint.
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