It doesn’t matter thatMilwaukee Bucks superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpoalready stated that he doesn’t want a trade out of the only team he’s played for so far in the NBA. With the NBA trade deadline looming, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Playerwill continue to be part of the rumor mill.
At least that much is certain with regards to the “Greek Freak” during this time of the year.
Whether the Bucks truly intend to keep Antetokounmpo or not past the trade deadline, the team is clearly not playing great basketball these days.
NBA champion coach comments on Bucks-Giannis Antetokounmpo situation
Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said that at the very least, the Bucks are not lacking effort in trying to surround Antetokounmpo twith he help he needs.
“That franchise has done anything and everything they can do to put the players around Giannis to give them a chance to win,” Malone said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.
"That franchise has done anything and everything they can do to put the players around Giannis to give them a chance to win."
Coach Michael Malone weighs in on Giannis’ future with the Bucks as the NBA trade deadline approaches ✍️ pic.twitter.com/BOmeDBV9e8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 16, 2026
Through the years, the Bucks have landed the likes of Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Myles Turner. Milwaukee has indeed made great moves in terms of providing Antetokounmpo with solid teammates.
But while Milwaukee has won an NBA title in 2021, it has been a tough journey for the team since, which has suffered first-round eliminations from the NBA Playoffs in each of the last three years. The furthest the Bucks reached since their latest NBA championship win was a second-round appearance in 2022.
And the 2025-26 NBA season isn’t looking so great either for Milwaukee, as the team is just 17-24 and on a three-game losing skid heading into Monday’s meeting wtihthe Atlanta Hawks on the road.
Dec 31, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during warmups prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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