The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls convincingly 112-103 on Saturday night. The game marked the return of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had missed the previous eight games with a right calf strain. Milwaukee had gone just 2-6 in those contests.
Playing on a minutes restriction, Giannis dominated in the 25 minutes he played, scoring 29 points on 10-15 shooting (1-3 from three). He was also 8-10 from the free throw line and grabbed eight rebounds to go with one assists, a steal, and a block.
During Giannis’ absence, and even before, there were rumors swirling that he was not happy with the Bucks organization and was trying to find a way to be traded to a bigger market. However, he has maintained that he wants to win, preferably in Milwaukee, and that he is where he is.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo shuts down question about his future
Dec 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
After the game, many reporters flocked to Giannis’ locker to ask him questions. Many of these were about the game, his performance, and the direction of the team now that he is back.
But one reporter asked him if he really wanted to stay in Milwaukee, and it was a question Giannis shut down right away:
Giannis shut down a reporter that asked if he wants to be in Milwaukee:
“I’m here. I’m here. I’m here. Don’t ask me that question. I’m here. It’s disrespectful towards myself and my teammates. I wear that jersey every single day. Disrespectful towards the organization, my… pic.twitter.com/DYCo369qtj
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) December 28, 2025
“I’m here. I’m here. I’m here. Don’t ask me that question. I’m here. It’s disrespectful towards myself and my teammates. I wear that jersey every single day. Disrespectful towards the organization, my coaching staff and all of the people that work hard for me to come out here and say ‘I don’t want to be here’. Don’t ask me that question. I’m here, I’m putting on the jersey. And as long as I’m here I’m going to give everything I have, even in the last second of the game.”
As he has been saying for a while, Giannis is committed to the team he is on. This is not to say that he will want a change of scenery eventually, but that is not something that he is focused on right now, especially in the locker room.
That being said, Giannis could shut down all trade rumors and speculation for good by explicitly saying that he wants to remain in Milwaukee. And while he has said that in the past, he has not said it recently.
Indeed, there will continue to be rumors and speculation until he does make that statement, if he makes it at all.
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