The Bucks were on the road Wednesday evening to face Steph Curry and the Warriors. Milwaukee lost 120-113. They are 16-21 this season, 11th in the East.
All-Star PF and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. In early December, NBA insiders reported that Antetokounmpo was discussing his future with the Bucks. Recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo set the record straight, speaking to The Athletic. Antetokounmpo emphatically said he “will never” request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear he will not request a trade from the Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he will NEVER request a trade from the Bucks
"There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say 'I want a trade' That’s not in my nature… I’m not going anywhere. I’m invested in this team.”
(Via @sam_amick) pic.twitter.com/7y19XF4OiA
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 8, 2026
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo recently spoke with Eric Nehm of The Athletic in an exclusive interview. The Greek Freak shared his side of the story. Antetokounmpo has never requested a trade from the Bucks and said it will not happen in the future. Giannis was calculated with his words. He told Eric Nehm, “That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?” Nehm said Antetokounmpo was “deliberate” with his pauses in that statement. Giannis made sure to get his point across.
In recent years, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors for Milwaukee. The team has failed to make a deep run in the playoffs after winning the NBA Finals in 2021. NBA insiders have questioned his loyalty to the team. Giannis tried to set the record straight in the recent interview. Antetokounmpo said, “I can only control what comes out of my mouth. And not one time have I shown that I’m not invested in this team.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo on where he stands with the Bucks, via @sam_amick:
"You know, for me, right now, today, I am committed — not 100 percent, but 1 million percent to my teammates, to my craft, to this team, and to this city. One million percent."
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 8, 2026
Giannis Antetokoumpo signed a three-year, $186 contract extension with the Bucks. He is under contract for 2025-26 and 2026-27. The 31-year-old has a $62.7 million player option in 2027-28. That is when Antetokounmpo can opt out of that player option and ask for another long-term extension. If the two sides fail to reach a deal, that could be Antetokounmpo’s ticket out of Milwaukee.
However, Giannis’ recent comments suggest he is fully committed to the Bucks. That’s reassuring for Bucks fans who are fearful Antetokounmpo will be moved. No matter what you think, there is always a price. We saw that happen last year when the Mavs traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers. The league was sent into shock when Luka was traded, and it proved that no player is safe. Even with Giannis’ recent comments, he’ll continue to be the subject of trade rumors.
