Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken center stage as the NBA trade deadline approaches on Thursday, with league-wide attention fixed on Milwaukee’s next move. Speculation about his future has lingered in the background for years, but the volume and urgency of the conversation have surged to a new level this week.
During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, Kendrick Perkins criticized the Bucks’ handling of Giannis Antetokounmpo, saying the organization is effectively keeping him in a hostage-like situation. Perkins went a step further by urging the franchise star to take control of the narrative and force the issue by publicly requesting a trade.
Kendrick Perkins thinks the Bucks organization is holding Giannis hostage:
"Right now, this is on the Milwaukee Bucks. Somebody need to actually call the police. I want an investigation because they holding the man hostage" pic.twitter.com/ypJY08u6AJ
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 4, 2026
“Right now, this is on the Milwaukee Bucks. Somebody needs to actually call the police, hello! Order the man an investigation because they’re holding him hostage,” Big Perk commented.
“The only reason we’re having these reports right now is that Giannis is trying to be polite about this. He has gone to those people behind closed doors and let them know he wants to be traded. Why are they not making the move?” asked Perkins.
Kendrick Perkins on Giannis Antetokounmpo and 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
Perkins doubled down on his stance, encouraging Antetokounmpo to apply direct pressure on the front office by openly asking for a trade if he truly wants a move before the deadline. He also referenced past comments in which he criticized Antetokounmpo for being overly concerned with how the public views him, framing that hesitation as a roadblock to taking control of his future.
“We’re talking about a Giannis Antetokounmpo that was drafted and said I want to win the MVP one day and a championship. Giannis actually cares about his legacy and cares about the way people think about him, and that organization knows that,” the NBA analyst continued.
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
At this stage, going public with a trade request would do little more than damage relationships, and there is little incentive for Antetokounmpo to take that route even amid growing frustration. Previous reports have indicated that he remains mindful of how his career is framed, with no interest in having his legacy compared to Kevin Durant’s ring-chasing storyline.