A week after Shams Charania reported Giannis Antetokounmpo, his agent and the Milwaukee Bucks met to discuss the player’s future with the franchise, speculation about his future hasn’t stopped. As soon as the report came out, several teams were mentioned as potential landing spots, including the New York Knicks.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t officially requested a trade, but the rest of the NBA is paying attention to how this situation unfolds.
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Charania offered an update on Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s “NBA Today,” noting that the rest of the players are feeling the tension between their star teammate and the franchise.
“Wins and losses. That’s the nature of the business right now,” Charania said. “Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to play and compete for a second NBA championship. This is a Bucks team right now that’s playing and competing for a back-end play-in tournament slot.
“My understanding is the locker room can also feel the tension at play here. The harder dialog that could occur (depends on) how this team shapes up in the next six to nine games on the road. It’ll come down to wins and losses and how this team looks before the February 5th NBA trade deadline.”
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Shams says the tension in the Bucks locker room is rising with Giannis drama
"Conversations are active and open between Giannis side and Bucks side… My understanding is the locker room can feel the tension at play here" pic.twitter.com/U4GuIKjsv9
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 9, 2025
In the case of an Antetokounmpo trade, the Bucks will reportedly blow it up and deal other veterans, such as Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis and even Myles Turner, who signed with the team during the 2025 free agency.
Milwaukee has lost two games in a row, falling to 10-15 and continuing to struggle to find a footing. Antetokounmpo has shown his commitment to the squad time and time again, but it seems like his tenure might be closer to an end than ever before.
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