Earlier this week, Milwaukee Bucks nine-time NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo made his plans for the 2025-26 season crystal clear: he will not request a trade away from the franchise that made him a first round pick all the way back in 2013. Instead, he is embracing whatever the front office does with the goal of returning to the NBA Finals with the Bucks.
During an appearance on a Brazilian media show (he is in Brazil to take in some soccer games), Giannis said, “There are two great teams that got [to the NBA Finals]. Indiana, with my friend Pascal Siakam, is reaping the rewards, and OKC simply has the MVP [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander]. I’m rooting for good basketball.
“The Finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks.”
This, of course, was a very different plan than that which was reported by the national media, ESPN’s Shams Charania specifically, all offseason.
Shams Charania Refused to Acknowledge that Giannis Antetokounmpo Wanted to Remain with the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Despite the fact that Giannis has made it plainly clear that he wants to win another NBA Championship in Milwaukee, ESPN’s Shams Charania continued to state that the two-time NBA MVP really had not made up his mind yet.
“His status will not be tied to the NBA Draft, it won’t be tied to free agency,” Charania said in the Pat McAfee show.
“It’s much more likely that his future plays out into July and into August. There’s a difference between being open-minded and, from what I’m told, exploring other options.”
Of course, this is the exact opposite of what the Greek Freak proclaimed just a couple of days ago, and Giannis made it a point to make his displeasure known on social media.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Takes a Shot at Shams Charania
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Dwight Howard
Oct 22, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) mean mugs to the audience after powering his way to the basket and being fouled by a Houston Rockets player in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
After the clip of Charania saying Giannis would not really make up his mind until late in the offseason, the best player in Bucks history posted the following on X (formerly Twitter):
Does anyone else miss Woj?!
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) June 11, 2025
Adrian Wojnarowski used to be the senior NBA insider at ESPN, but stepped away from the network in December of 2024 to be the general manager at St. Bonaventure University, his alma mater. Charania away from Fan Duel to replace him.
As one might expect, Bucks fans were thrilled with Giannis’ post:
https://t.co/jrBEgOSJMZ pic.twitter.com/ivjIBEGR2H
— P (@PPFleegrr_87) June 11, 2025
GREAT job trolling Shams and the ridiculous rumor mill he created for you. Hope you are here in Milwaukee until you retire.
(Also, you still need to come by and try our wings, they’re the best in the city!) https://t.co/mZkmaSYV4c
— Major Goolsby’s (@MajorGoolsbys) June 11, 2025
Is this Giannis’s best poster and it’s not even on the court!?!? https://t.co/umWsaqpO7K
— Ben Brust (@BenBrust) June 11, 2025
Cooked that fraud Shams lmao https://t.co/oyHpDpzw8e pic.twitter.com/udJJDeox7Z
— Alex Sage (@sage_alex) June 11, 2025
Unfortunately, it does not seem that anything Giannis says or does will stop national reporters from creating trade narratives centered around him.
Of course, that should come as no surprise. They have been doing it for year. Why would they stop now?
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