Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks recently suggested that he might leave his team later this year if they don’t have a great season.
This set off a wave of worry among Bucks fans, and some criticism from former NBA star Charles Barkley.
Speaking about Antetokounmpo and his comments, Barkley didn’t hold back and said that he “hates” this kind of perspective.
“Giannis feels like he’s entitled to win a championship every year. Everyone wants to win a championship, man. The Bucks have done everything they can. Him thinking ‘If I don’t win the title this year, I want out.’… I hate hearing that,” Barkley said.
Charles Barkley fires back at Giannis:
"Giannis feels like he's entitled to win a championship every year. Everyone wants to win a championship, man. The Bucks have done everything they can. Him thinking 'If I don't win the title this year, I want out.'… I hate hearing that." pic.twitter.com/iRa8ProxyB
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 9, 2025
Antetokounmpo is well within his rights to want another championship, and it’s also up to him to leave if he decides that is best for him and his career.
But Barkley feels that this is a level of entitlement that he doesn’t want to see in the league.
No matter how he feels, Antetokounmpo is going to make his own choice later this year, and it could be a massive one that changes the Bucks forever.
If Antetokounmpo chooses to leave the team, it’ll shake up the franchise and the entire NBA.
The fact that he is even suggesting it’s possible says a lot, and a lot of people are assuming that he will definitely leave at some point this year.
Now all eyes will be on the Bucks to see how they perform at the start of the season.
If things are rocky right away, the assumptions and speculation around Antetokounmpo will grow.
Milwaukee needs to perform nearly perfectly or else their future with Antetokounmpo could fade away quickly.
NEXT: Giannis Antetokounmpo Opens Up About Commitment To Bucks