The Milwaukee Bucks, after months of speculation, have made it known to other teams around the NBA that they are not trading franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the deadline. This news, which was understandably met with great joy by Bucks fans, means that the ten-time All-Star will, at the very least, finish the 2025-26 NBA season in Milwaukee.
When he will be able to get back on the court, though, is another question altogether. Giannis, a two-time NBA MVP, is currently sidelined with a calf injury. As of right now, his timetable to return to play is undetermined, especially after he missed most of the month of December with a similar injury.
In fact, there are some so-called reporters who believe that the Bucks plan to shut down Giannis for the rest of the season. However, that, as so many things stated by the national media over the last several months, is not true.
The Milwaukee Bucks will not shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jan 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts up a shot against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
According to Bucks inside Eric Nehm, who covers the team for The Athletic, Milwaukee plans on having Giannis back on the court yet this season. The hope is that, by then, they will be in a position to try and reach a spot in the NBA Playoffs:
“While the Bucks, who have dropped down to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 20-29 record, could be compelled to ask Antetokounmpo to sit out the remainder of the season to keep him healthy, league sources tellThe Athleticthat Antetokounmpo still plans on playing once he has fully recovered from his right calf strain to help the Bucks make a push for the postseason.”
In 30 games this season, Giannis is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per contest.
But while the Greek Freak will hopefully be back on the court yet this year (depending how long it takes him to get healthy), there is still some uncertainty regarding his long-term future in Milwaukee.
Per the same report in The Athletic:
“Even though the two-time league MVP will stay on the roster for the remainder of this season, deals are expected to be explored again this offseason, when teams have far greater roster flexibility and potentially better options to entice the Bucks to trade away their superstar forward.”
This means, unfortunately, that Bucks fans will have to endure further speculation about Giannis’ future. There is no doubt that other NBA teams, sensing an opportunity, will make offers for the two-time NBA MVP.
The clear objective for the Bucks, therefore, is to convince their franchise cornerstone that they still want to and are capable of competing for an NBA title. If they can do that, not only will they kill rumors again this summer, but they could also ink him to another extension in October.
It will be interesting to see what other moves the Bucks make at the trade deadline and the approach they take to the 2026 NBA Draft. If they navigate those moves successfully, Giannis could be in Milwaukee for the long haul once again.
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