Giannis delivers clearest message yet on his future that has sent Bucks fans wild

Giannis Antetokounmpo has poured an entire waterfall’s worth of cold water on the rumours that he will leave the Milwaukee Bucks once the season is over.

Speaking to The Athletic, Giannis was, naturally, asked about his future at the Bucks; given the amount of smoke seen from Bucks Towers, many are wondering if there is indeed a fire worth talking about.

“There will never be a moment that I will say I want a trade”

“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, slamming the words down like an invisible hand of aces to end the game. “That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?”

“I’m locked the f*** in. I’m locked in”

“I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team. I want to turn this team around. I want to play good basketball. I want to be healthy. I want to help my teammates. I wanna win games. The last six games we’ve played, we’re 4-2. We have a lot of games in front of us. I’m locked the f*ck in. I’m locked in. My priority is just staying healthy.”

Since the rumours began, this is the strongest confirmation that if the decision ever comes to see Giannis leave it will not be because he was the first to say so. And the logistics for a move away in the short term simply don’t work: the only way Antetokounmpo gets traded at the deadline is if he pushes for it, something he clearly doesn’t seem keen to do.

That does not mean the Bucks are free from uncertainty. At 31-years-old and with a player option approaching in the summer of 2027, Giannis is no spring chicken and his long-term future in Milwaukee remains a topic of legitimate interest. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension in October, a package that will take a lot of negotiating.

Related stories

NBA

Cavs to re-sign LeBron? The truth behind the rumour

NBA

LeBron makes admission over his health “for the rest of the season”

Drafted by Milwaukee in 2013, Giannis grew from a raw prospect into a franchise-defining figure, delivering the city its first championship in 50 years. Since the 2016-17 NBA season, he’s averaged 28.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.