Today is the NBA trade deadline, and the Milwaukee Bucks continue to be one of the most talked-about teams in the league. This is, of course, due to the constant rumors surrounding ten-time All-Star and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. For months, national outlets, especially ESPN, have been claiming that Giannis is not happy in Milwaukee and wants to be traded.
For his part, Giannis recently told multiple reporters that he wants to retire in Milwaukee. Furthermore, the Bucks have also shown no indication that they are desiring to move the best player in franchise history.
While it is true that they have listened to trade offers from other NBA teams, none of them have come close to meeting what Milwaukee would require in what would be arguably the most unpopular trade in the state’s history.
The Milwaukee Bucks are likely to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo at the NBA trade deadline
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) walks the ball up court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
While ESPN and other national media outlets have claimed that Giannis truly wants out of Milwaukee, Bucks fans have, for the most part, fought back by pointing to the star’s own words about being committed to his team and his city.
Today is the last day NBA teams can make trades, and it sounds like the rest of the league and the national media is finally coming around to the real truth of the situation:
“Giannis Antetokounmpo has not forced the issue and that is going to be a factor.”
– @WindhorstESPN on Giannis trade rumors
(Via @GetUpESPN) pic.twitter.com/28Yd7bFacV
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 5, 2026
And Bucks fans are letting them all have it:
Amazing backpedaling after Windy and Shams have been spreading Giannis trade rumors for almost 7 years now.
— Emc806 ✍️📖🇺🇸 (@King_Cup83) February 5, 2026
ESPN is so upset right now 🤣 https://t.co/F4eC3aqR5H
— Dan Buhler (@FBuhlersDayOff) February 5, 2026
WOW WHAT A SHOCK https://t.co/0OWwfgkDez
— John Egan (@BrewersRaptor) February 5, 2026
Windy and Shams basically on the opposite side of this thing. ESPN should make Windy the lead guy if GA is not traded 🥴🥴😂😂😂 https://t.co/uRgzcYxppL
— Cream City Crossover (@TCIIIyeee) February 5, 2026
The strange thing about this whole situation is that ESPN’s Shams Charania has been and continues to claim that Giannis is trying to force his way out of Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst, who also works for ESPN, is saying his sources tell him that Giannis is not forcing the issue.
Obviously, Windhorst’s latest claims are more in line in what Giannis and the Bucks have been saying all along.
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