Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis trade rumors, Giannis dunk, Bucks Bulls game, Bucks trade rumors, Nikola Vucevic
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned for the Milwaukee Bucks after an eight-game absence with a calf injury and immediately reminded the NBA of his value in the league.
In a nine-point win over the Chicago Bulls, Antetokounmpo dropped 29 points and eight rebounds in just 25 minutes, leading the game in scoring in his first game back in nearly four weeks.
However, trade rumors continue to follow the two-timeMVP, and at the same time he called out a reporter for a ‘disrespectful‘question about his future, he alsocalled into question the future of his own teammates,if theycan’t find a groove before the trade deadline.
“I‘ve been 13 years in the league. If we keep on losing, probably half of the team not going to be here,”Antetokounmpo said after the game.”We’re not going to make the playoffs. I reallydon’t care.At the end of the day, Ijust want to be available, be healthy and help my team win.“
Along with getting the win, Antetokounmpo made headlines during the game for a windmill dunk in the final seconds, once the contestwas already decided. The Greek Freak justified the move that drew the ire of Chicago by saying that he wanted his team to ‘wake up‘and understand the uphill battle they have going forward.
Giannis Calls Out Bucks Amid Trade Rumors
Along with stating that ‘half the team‘could be gone if the Buckskeep losing, despitegetting the victory against the middling Bulls on Saturday night, Antetokounmpo made it clear that heisn’t happy where Milwaukee is at right now.
He said multiple times thatthe end-of-game dunk was meant to spark his team, rather than take a shot at Chicago.
Legion Hoops
Bulls players were not feeling Giannis’ windmill dunk at the end of the game 😬
“We’re 11th in the East,”he added. “Got to keep finding an identity. And ifthat’s to get a little bit of scrappy at the end, so be it.We’re not champs. Why should we play the clock out and have respect and fair play?We’re fighting for our lives right now.”
While Antetokounmpo has been the name floated in trade rumors after an early-December report from Shams Charania about his uncertain future with the franchise he brought a title to in 2021, the FinalsMVP’s comments were a wake-up call to his teammates.
More recent reportingshows that the Bucks are nowin fact looking to add talent at the trade deadline, in hopes ofputting a competitive team around their franchise star, rather than sending him out in a deal.
“While teams around the league continue to hope that Milwaukee will ultimately make Antetokounmpo available, the Buckshave conveyed a desire to add talent to their roster before thisseason’s trade deadline,”Eric Nehm wrote for The Athletic.
With that, whileAntetokounmpo’s comments about ‘half of the team not going to be here‘might not signal a perfect situation for the organization, it at least shows he cares about the future of the franchise, despite his still uncertain status in Milwaukee.
Nikola Vucevic Trolls Giannis After Windmill Dunk
DespiteAntetokounmpo’s postgame comments about his own team, his dunk in the final seconds against the Bulls still made headlines. It resulted in a postgame scuffle that saw Nikola Vucevic and other Chicago players go face-to-face with the Greek forward, though the brouhahadidn’t lead to any punches, it was the heated climax of the matchup.
Speaking after the game, Vucevic claimed Antetokounmpo made the late-game windmill dunk because the Bullsdidn’t express interest in the star when his name came up in trade rumors earlier in the month.
Will Gottlieb
Vooch on the post-game scuffle: “I’m assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bulls didn’t want to trade for him.”
“I‘m assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bullsdidn’t want to trade for him,”the Chicago big man said.
Lou Canellis of Fox 32 Chicago reported ‘that the Giannis Antetokounmpo inquired about coming to Chicago…but the#Bulls weren’t interested‘which, after the loss and dunk, sparkedVucevic’s comments.
After taking the win, Antetokounmpo himself posted a picture of the dunk on social media, with the caption, ‘Iain’t no painter but you get the picture.’
Giannis Antetokounmpo
I ain’t no painter but you get the picture💯🤞🏽
Whether it be the star actually upset the Bullsdidn’t want to trade for him, trying to spark a run in his own team, a response to his name in various trade rumors and reports, or the revival of a Bucks-Bulls rivalry, Antetokounmpo made headlines for numerous reasons in his return from injury.
Milwaukee is now 13-19, and have a lot of room to make up if they want to make a playoff push with their star this season.