Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Greece
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Giannis Antetokounmpo (C) stands with the ball between Lithuania's small forward #08 Tadas Sedekerskis (R) and Lithuania's point guard #03 Arnas Velicka (R) during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 basketball quarter final match between Lithuania and Greece at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia, on September 9, 2025.
For the past few months, the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks has been in serious question.
While the Greek star has both said he was interested in searching for a new home outside the team he led to the 2021 NBA championship, Antetokounmpo has recently shared that his entire focus is on the upcoming season in Milwaukee.
Recent reporting from Shams Charania of ESPNshowed Antetokounmpo had a strong interest in joining the New York Knicks over the offseason, but a deal nevercame to fruition. Now, with the entire NBA world curiousas to what the star,or team’s,next move is, Antetokounmpo offered a new update on his plans.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants To End His Career In His Native Greece
Speaking in an interview with ANT1’s The 2Nite Show, Antetokounmpo said he wants to finish out his career in Greece, after what will likely be about six to eight more years in the NBA.
“I’m 30 years old, I can play in the NBA until I’m 36-38.I’d like to end my career in a Greek team, why not?” Antetokounmpo said, according to BasketNews. “I don’t want to live in the United States. As soon as I leave the NBA, I want to return to Greece. I could end my career here, whether this team is called Filathlitikos, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, or Aris, I’m talking about all the teams now.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals he wants to end his basketball career on a Greek team
"I don't want to live in the United States. As soon as I leave the NBA, I want to return to Greece."
(Via @BasketNews_com) pic.twitter.com/G15jgFpfhQ
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 14, 2025
Antetokounmpo’s latest statements on his future come just about a week afterit was announced that the Greek star’s family is moving to his hometown of Athens.
He spent much of the summer leading the Greek national team in EuroBasket, finishing with a bronze medal in the tournament, his first major accomplishment on the national team.
Antetokounmpo said the achievement was the highlight of his career, and after spending adecent amount of time in Greece over the offseason, he has nowgiven a further commitment to his home countryas it relates to his playing career.
While he didn’t hint at any immediate plans regarding the NBA in particular, Antetokounmpo’s comments come at a unique crossroad in his basketball career.
Bucks Doing Everything Possible To Keep The Star
Charania’s continuous reporting on Antetokounmpo’s future with the Buckshas put a major spotlight on the team, particularly afterlosing in the first round of the playoffsthree years in a row.
Milwaukee did not do a lot over the offseason in terms of putting together a stronger roster, but they did make a recent move that they hope willkeep Antetokounmpo in town for the future.
Announced by none other than Charania, the Bucks signed Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis’s youngest brother. He will join the 2021 Finals MVP, along with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, on the Bucks next season. It will be the first time in NBA history that three brothers are on the same team together.
Antetokounmpo has made it clear that family is important to him, asseen by his decision tomove his family to Greece, as well as Thanasis having along previous stint with the Bucks. Milwaukee has acknowledgedthat, and hopes adding another brother will keep his belief in thedirection of the team.
Giannis on "The 2night Show": "I'm loyal. Milwaukee gave me everything, they changed my life and my family's life. I want to live in the moment, I want to win another championship with the Bucks". pic.twitter.com/Go7kaE333a
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) October 13, 2025
Over the offseason, the Bucks lost Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, while bringing in Myles Turner. On paper, it doesn’t turn them into a title contender, but the new core alongside Antetokounmpo has yet tobe seen in any real fashion.
General manager Jon Horst has said he and the franchise have done everything they can to keep Antetokounmpo, and even if he does stay to close out his NBA career, the Greek Freak looks to be headed back home before an official retirement.