Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks.
Speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks intensified Monday amid reports that the two-time NBA MVP could soon be switching agents, a development that league insiders say would carry major implications ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
According to TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott, powerful super-agent Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, has been maneuvering to represent Antetokounmpo as uncertainty grows around the Bucks’ long-term direction.
Paul, whose client list includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is said to believe he can position a franchise player “where he wants to go,” according to multiple sources cited by Abbott.
Giannis ‘Close to Firing’ Longtime Agent Amid Bucks Trade Tension
In his Monday Substack newsletter, Abbott described what he called “real drama” behind the scenes involving Antetokounmpo and his longtime agent, Alex Saratsis of Octagon.
“So it was alarming to hear a story of real drama, that Giannis was close to firing his longtime agent Alex Saratsis over his failure to get Giannis traded from the Bucks,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott cautioned that agent maneuvering is a constant undercurrent in NBA circles, particularly when generational stars face uncertain futures. However, he also cited league sources who believe there is a legitimate chance Antetokounmpo could soon be represented by a new agency.
Adding to the intrigue, Abbott reported that Paul has been in contact with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis’ brother, in recent weeks — a detail that has fueled speculation across league circles.
Giannis Remains With Octagon, but Rules Allow Quick Agent Change
As of Monday, Antetokounmpo remains officially represented by Saratsis.
“The Players Association confirms on Monday: Alex Saratsis is Giannis’ agent,” Abbott wrote. “Teams who are trying to trade for Giannis continue to call Saratsis.”
However, Abbott noted that recent changes to the NBA Players Association rules could accelerate any transition. Under revised regulations, a player who terminates representation now faces a seven-day waiting period before a new agent can formally take over, down from 15 days previously.
That timeline means Antetokounmpo could theoretically change agents before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, should he choose to do so.
Trade Deadline Looms as Bucks, Giannis Keep Public Calm
Publicly, both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have maintained a message of continuity.
Even after exiting Friday’s game with a calf injury expected to sideline him four to six weeks, Antetokounmpo told reporters he still expects to make the playoffs with Milwaukee this season.
“I’m going to work my butt off to come back,” Antetokounmpo said. “That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team will be in a place that we can at least make the play-in or make the playoffs and just take it day by day, try to get better.”
Antetokounmpo’s comments came just hours after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that “the writing is on the wall” regarding Giannis and the Bucks.
Abbott framed the situation as a familiar NBA standoff.
“Whether it ends next week, or in the summer, the Bucks and their star know it’ll end soon,” he wrote. “Like with Damian Lillard in Portland, neither party wants to look like the bad guy in public.”
ESPN’s Marc J. Spears: ‘I Think He’s Played His Last Game’ in Milwaukee
The speculation reached a national audience Monday when Andscape’s Marc J. Spears offered a blunt assessment on NBA Today.
“I think he’s played his last game in a Bucks uniform,” Spears said. “There’s so much benefit for him not playing.”
Spears argued that Milwaukee could maximize trade leverage by keeping Antetokounmpo sidelined, particularly if potential partners can offer high draft capital tied to upcoming lottery selections.
Multiple Teams Still Pursuing Giannis Trade, per Marc Stein
Despite public caution from Milwaukee, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that multiple teams remain hopeful the Bucks could engage in meaningful trade talks before the deadline.
“One of my most consistently clutch sources passed along Sunday that multiple teams continue to try to engage the Bucks on a Giannis deal that they would like to consummate before the Feb. 5 deadline,” Stein wrote, noting Antetokounmpo’s injury timeline.
Whether Milwaukee ultimately moves its franchise cornerstone now or revisits the decision this summer remains uncertain. But with agent intrigue, injury timing, and the deadline approaching, league-wide belief is growing that the Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee is entering its final chapter.