It would appear that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has deleted multiple social media posts on both Instagram and X amid the Milwaukee Bucks’ 9-13 start to the season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Seems Frustrated
Antetokounmpo is already igniting trade rumors after purging most of his past social media posts on Tuesday, one day after Milwaukee lost to the Washington Wizards, who own the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
More importantly, Antetokounmpo removed any Bucks-related post across his social media accounts, except for a couple of posts about the NBA Cup and NBA Finals.
Since the Bucks won their second NBA title in 2021 and first since 1971, they’ve been unable to reach the conference semifinals in the postseason, including three straight first-round exits.
During Bucks media day in September, Antetokounmpo expressed his desire to win a second NBA title and confirmed reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania that he was “open-minded” over the summer about exploring whether his “best long-term fit” was in Milwaukee or elsewhere.
“The same thing I’ve been saying my whole career, I want to be in a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” said Antetokounmpo. “I think it’s a disservice to basketball, just to the game, to not want it to compete in a high level, to want your season to end in April.”
Charania’s report may have gotten the ball rolling on Antetokounmpo’s eventual departure.
Four Teams Were Linked To Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo, who turns 31 this Saturday, has thought about leaving the Bucks in the past.
“It’s not the first time. I had the same thoughts last year,” he continued. “I had the same thoughts two years ago. And I had the same thoughts five years ago. It is never going to change. I want to be among the best. I want to compete with the best, and I want to win another championship.”
Per 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.
It would seem as though the two-time NBA MVP might not be willing to wait until then.
During the offseason, Antetokounmpo had been linked to several marquee franchises, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and the New York Knicks.
After the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA community in trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers last February, an in-season trade involving Antetokounmpo could be a real possibility.
Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, is averaging a career-high 30.6 points this season to go with 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game through 16 appearances.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5.
