Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly makes key decision about his future with the Bucks amid uncertainty

The Milwaukee Bucks have relied on Giannis Antetokounmpo as their franchise player for several years. He led them to an NBA title in 2021. Since then, he has remained the centerpiece of the team’s success. However, their early elimination against the Indiana Pacers changed everything and rumors of major changes began to surface. One of them included the possibility of Giannis leaving the team. In response to the growing speculation, a well-known NBA insider stepped in. He shared a key update about Antetokounmpo’s future.

“I don’t think Giannis himself does not want to go to the Bucks and say, ‘Trade me.‘ But next year there’s no way with Damian Lillard carrying a salary of nearly 60 million they don’t have control of their own first round pick till 2031, they don’t have a pathway to build a contender around him at this point. But the rumbles that you always hear are that just having Giannis is so important to them financially. They’re not going to trade him unless he pushes it,” stated Marc Stein.

With this decision, Giannis Antetokounmpo would stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. He just had another incredible NBA season averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Giannis led the team as its best player. For the sixth straight year, he entered the MVP conversation. And he did it without a strong co-star, especially after Damian Lillard’s injury.

Lillard missed most of the NBA Playoffs and he will also miss much of the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury. Because of that, the Bucks must find a reliable backup. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis had solid moments. However, they lacked consistency when the team needed them most. To compete at a high level, the Bucks must add players with championship experience.

Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks meets with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Giannis Antetokounmpo defends Doc Rivers with heartfelt message amid playoff criticism

After the Milwaukee Bucks got eliminated from the playoffs, fans started heavily criticizing head coach Doc Rivers. Many questioned the team’s lack of chemistry and pointed out how the offense looked disjointed. They claimed the Bucks played like a group of stars, each doing their own thing. As a result, Giannis Antetokounmpo often seemed isolated on offense giving the impression of not having evolved as a team.

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Even so, Giannis came forward to defend Rivers and made his support public. “I love Doc…I think he’s a great human being. Great dude, knows how to uplift your spirit, knows always the right thing to say at the right moment. You guys have been around him, he’s been in the NBA for 50 years,” stated Giannis Antetokounmpo on The Athletic.