Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the biggest names thrown in trade rumors since the 2024-25 NBA season ended in a first-round playoff defeat against the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks finished the season with a 48-34 record and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, dropping from the third position they achieved in the prior season.
Milwaukee has tried to return to the Finals and win another championship since their remarkable run in the 2021 playoffs, but injuries and inconsistent play have stepped in their way.
Rumors and speculation regarding Antetokounmpo's future have been tied to those situations, and this offseason isn't different. A Brian Windhorst report on Tuesday explained that there is no market for the two-time NBA MVP at this moment.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)
© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Before that, on Monday, the Greek player revealed his desire to return to the NBA Finals with the Bucks, seemingly putting all the speculation about his future to end.
Antetokounmpo didn't stop there and doubled down on those comments on Wednesday. StatMuse's X account shared that the 2021 NBA champion had the most combined points, rebounds and assists per game in the Finals with 53.3, topping Nikola Jokic (51.4), Rick Barry (47.2), Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain (47.1 both) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (46.5).
Antetokounmpo reacted to the mini-list with a clear four-word message, insisting that he wants to play in the biggest series again.
He was an MVP candidate once again in the 2024-25 NBA season. He couldn't get in the middle of the race between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but Antetokounmpo showed again that he's one of the top talents in the league.
Time will tell how this situation unfolds for the Bucks' superstar, but even after his recent statements, not many people are convinced that he's willing to stay with the Bucks for much longer.