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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Just minutes after the NBA trade deadline concluded, Giannis Antetokounmpo made his stance clear on social media, sending a definitive message that he is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks.
On Thursday, Antetokounmpo posted a clip from The Wolf of Wall Street to Instagram featuring the iconic“I’m not f**king leaving. The show goes on” scene.
As speculation mounted that the Milwaukee Bucks could consider drastic options amid a lost season, Giannis delivered a hilarious message just hours after it was announced he is staying.
The post landed just as reports surfaced that the Bucks have no plans to move their franchise cornerstone before the deadline.
Hamz Talks Hoops
Giannis just posted on Instagram already…
This man is such a troll 😭
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee has informed teams it is keeping Antetokounmpo and shifting its focus to other potential moves.
Giannis’ Instagram post provided some light-hearted humor after a hectic few weeks of trade speculation.
For a fan base that had started to expect the worst, the message was clear. Giannis is staying in Milwaukee, at least for now.
Bucks Shut Down Deadline Talk Around Giannis
According to Shams, the Bucks have indicated they will retain Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and revisit any long-term decisions in the offseason.
This will take place when the league landscape and draft compensation become clearer.
One rival executive even told Jake Fischer that teams pushing Giannis scenarios were “never serious.”
That stance brings temporary closure to months of speculation fueled by Milwaukee’s slide out of playoff contention and mounting injuries.
Antetokounmpo’s season has been interrupted twice by calf injuries, most recently on Jan. 23 against Denver.
ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst has said that Milwaukee may shut Giannis Antetokounmpo down for the rest of this season.
Giannis’ Instagram post made it clear he’s very happy to stay in Milwaukee and wants to remain a Buck.
Contract Reality Shapes What Comes Next
Giannis is currently playing on the three-year, $186 million extension he signed in October 2023 following the Damian Lillard trade.
The deal runs through the 2027-28 season and includes a player option in the final year, giving Giannis significant leverage down the line.
The structure all but removed immediate pressure to act at this deadline.
Milwaukee retains control for multiple seasons, while Antetokounmpo maintains flexibility if the organization fails to retool into a contender.
That balance explains why the Bucks can afford patience now and why Giannis is also happy to stay put.
The post doesn’t guarantee Giannis will finish his career in Milwaukee, but on deadline day, Bucks fans can exhale and have something to cheer about.