There’s been a lot of conflicting information this year about the future of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Some reports are suggesting that Antetokounmpo is growing frustrated with his team and plans to seek a trade, while other ones are saying the two-time NBA MVP will play out his current contract with the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants To Make It Work
NBA insider Chris Haynes offered some more insight on Friday.
“I did reach out to Giannis, and he spoke to me about just being where his feet are planted. He said that’s where his focus is,” Haynes said. “He reminded me of something he said five years ago: ‘Chris, remember what I told you five years ago?’ I said, ‘No, tell me.'”
“He said, ‘There are people who see a door and want to hurry up and escape through it. But I see a wall, and I want to run through the wall and make things work,'” Haynes continued.
“He said that’s his focus — run through the wall, make things work, get healthy, and be there for his team. He also said he doesn’t know what’s going on behind the scenes with the front office regarding his future. His focus is getting healthy and not running from situations.”
Antetokounmpo is expected to be sidelined for approximately two to four weeks due to a right calf strain, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday.
Antetokounmpo Explains Deleting Bucks Posts
Antetokounmpo, 31, sparked trade rumors when he deleted multiple Bucks-related social media posts on both Instagram and X amid his team’s tumultuous season.
However, Haynes made it clear that it’s not what it seems.
“Yeah, I spoke to him about that, and he said — listen — when it comes to his social media, he did that around three or four weeks ago. He said not only did he delete Bucks photos and videos, but he also deleted family photos and videos. He told me that, right now, what’s most important in his life is confidentiality and privacy.”
Haynes added that Antetokounmpo referred to an interview he saw with Michael B. Jordan and Denzel Washington.
“In that interview, Denzel told Michael: ‘What is stopping the masses from going to your show? And when they do go, are they going to come in droves? Because I can make the case that they already see your social media — and so you’re already visible — so why would they go to your shows in droves?’” he said.
“Giannis said he looked at it from that standpoint. He told me: ‘You know what? I’m deleting all my social media stuff. I’m only leaving a couple championship photos out there. If people want to see me, come to the games, and I’ll give you all of me and showcase what I can do.'”
Bucks, Antetokounmpo Discussing Future
Charania reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are having conversations with the Bucks about the nine-time All-Star’s future.
That includes “discussing whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere. … A resolution to these talks is expected in the coming weeks,” per Charania.
Charania’s report could still be accurate, but it doesn’t mean Antetokounmpo will be traded.
According to Spotrac, Antetokounmpo remains under contract through 2027-28, but he can become a free agent in the 2027 offseason if he declines his $62.8 million player option.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Antetokounmpo will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season, starting on Oct. 1, 2026.
If moved, he’d be able to sign the same deal with another team six months after a trade.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5.
