Giannis Antetokounmpo on His Bucks Future: "It's Not Up to Me Anymore"

Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks has been shrouded in uncertainty almost since the start of the 2025-26 season, if not since last season. Following a disappointing campaign, the Greek forward/center admitted that his continued presence in Milwaukee is no longer in his hands, leaving the door open for a potential departure, even as he maintains he will never request a trade.

"That's a very good question," Antetokounmpo responded to reporters when asked if his recent game against the 76ers, a 126-106 loss, was his last for the Bucks. "I don't know. It's not up to me anymore. It's not up to me anymore. We'll see," he added, fueling speculation surrounding his future with the club that drafted him 15th overall in 2013.

These statements came after the Philadelphia game, which sealed the end of the season for the Bucks with a 32-50 record, having long been out of contention for the Eastern Conference playoffs. The game also marked the end of Doc Rivers' era as the team's coach, despite having another year on his contract, though it is unknown if he will continue with the club.

Antetokounmpo's frustration has been mounting, particularly due to his absence from the last 15 games of the season. Giannis, who suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee, insists he was fit to play for a long time and wanted to, but claims the club prevented him. This even led to an unusual reaction from the players' union and an investigation by the NBA. The Bucks, in turn, maintained that the ten-time All-Star had not received medical clearance to return to competition.

The two-time league MVP (2018-19 and 2019-20) and 2020-21 champion described the Bucks' stance as "disrespectful" and stated he had no control over the situation. "Right now? Zero," he said. "I had no control. I was being cleared to play. I don't understand. From what I understood, to get back to playing — which I don't think there was any return-to-play protocol — I had to play three-on-three to be available. I did that multiple times."

Rumors of a potential trade are not new. As early as October, before the season began, reports emerged about discussions between the Bucks and the Knicks, with Antetokounmpo allegedly receptive to a move. At the time, the player downplayed the reports, stating he was focused on representing his team and winning games.

However, with accumulating losses and growing tension — reaching the point where Antetokounmpo responded to boos from his own fans — his dissatisfaction became more evident. According to an ESPN report, the basketball player and his agent reportedly informed club management of his desire to leave as soon as the season started to go awry. But the club allegedly opted to wait for better offers and tried to ensure there was no risk of injury that could jeopardize a future deal.

With Antetokounmpo eligible for a contract extension this summer, Bucks owner Wes Edens had already outlined the scenario in March: "Either he re-signs or he gets traded." Keeping the player in the final year of his contract without an extension, risking losing him for free the following summer, is not a viable option for the team.

When asked about a possible contract extension, Antetokounmpo was cautious. "Oh, that's very far away. That's something I have to sit down, see, talk to my family, see what's best for me and my family, for my career," he stated. "But even before we talk about an extension, someone has to offer me one. I haven't been offered any extension, so that's very far away. We have to take it one step at a time."