Giannis Antetokounmpo may be wearing different threads within the next day as the trade deadline closes in. Conversations around the league have intensified over the past week, with momentum building as Antetokounmpo shows a willingness to consider a move and the Milwaukee Bucks signal they are prepared to explore a path forward that could place him elsewhere.
Any deal would bring criticism, and Giannis Antetokounmpo knows some would frame it as him walking away from Milwaukee. He sees it differently. Antetokounmpo believes he has consistently leaned in rather than backed out, a point he feels he reinforced even while injured, pointing to his presence and approach during the Bucks’ matchup with the Denver Nuggets as proof of his commitment rather than an act of quitting.
“We always go back to the Bucks, the Bucks, the Bucks, and if I’m going to stay here, if I’m not gonna stay here,” Giannis told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Giannis Antetokounmpo on quitting on the Bucks
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
“There’s going to be some people that are like, ‘Hey, man, when s— got hard, he left us. When it didn’t go his way, he left. It bothers me — which it should not be bothering me — because I don’t like to quit. I got hurt in the first quarter of the game, the last game I played. And then in the fourth quarter, I got hurt again.”
The Greek Freak exited the Bucks’ 102 – 100 defeat to the Denver Nuggets a few weeks back after aggravating his right calf. After the game, he said the injury would probably force him to miss around four to six weeks as he works his way back.
Dec 29, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in a time out during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
“Any other player on this planet would have — in my position, going through the season that he’s going through, and all these injuries coming back, win, lose, win, lose, inconsistent play, blah, blah — would have said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just gonna protect my calf. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. Let’s just make a business decision here.’ That’s not me though.”
Antetokounmpo’s relentless approach to the game has never been in question, and he reinforces that reputation every time he steps on the floor. His connection to the Bucks and to Milwaukee also runs deep, which helps explain why navigating constant trade speculation has been such a difficult and emotional process for both sides.