Golden State Warriors trade target Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Golden State Warriors trade target Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
When the 2025-2026 NBA season concludes, the Milwaukee Bucks will certainly have to face the big question about Giannis Antetokounmpo once again.
Will the veteran superstar return to Milwaukee for another year? If you ask his teammate, Bobby Portis, the answer makes it clear he’s just as unsure as the next person. On a scale of 1-10, Portis predicts the middle.
“I’m at a five, bro,” Portis said on FanDuelTV’s Run It Back.
“Like, for real, it’s up in the air, man. Obviously, just being here, and our goal isn’t just to make the Play-In. The goal isn’t to just make the playoffs. Since I’ve been here in 2020, the goal has always been a championship. So I don’t know what that outlook is for next year. I don’t know, you know what John and his staff are gonna put together to make the roster better, make us better, so we can compete for championships next year. I don’t know that. But, you know, if you ask me that question, I would say it’s right there in the middle.”
Run It Back
Bobby Portis spends more time with Giannis than most, and even he doesn’t know if they’ll be Bucks teammates next season 👀🤷♂️
Bobby expects this offseason to bring plenty of uncertainty to Milwaukee if a championship isn’t won…
But the known jokester will probably appreciate
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Be A Flight Risk?
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 22: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at TD Garden on November 22, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 119-116. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The obvious answer here has to be yes. Since last summer, Giannis was viewed as a flight risk out of Milwaukee, but he started the year with the Bucks.
Leading up to the trade deadline, the trade rumors grew louder, but Giannis continued to downplay his desire to move for now. However, each time Antetokounmpo addressed his future, he always left the door open.
The former MVP would make it clear that while he would like to remain in Milwaukee for the long haul, the team needs to prove itself as a contender. That plan is falling flat this year.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Struggling In The East
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks with the media at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Frequent absences from Antetokounmpo contributed to the team’s struggles this year.
But since he’s been back, the Bucks haven’t flipped a switch. Over the last 10 games, the Bucks have won just four outings. They are 27-36 on the year, which places them 11th in the Eastern Conference.
The Charlotte Hornets currently hold the East’s 10th seed (the final Play-In slot), and have a four-game lead over the Bucks.
Fullcourtpass
Anthony Edwards when he ran into Giannis Antetokounmpo at the All Star game:
“We gonna go viral. They gonna think you coming to Minnesota”
(h/t @NBA__Courtside)
There is enough time for the Bucks to make a late-season push to get in the tournament, but that scenario is far from a slam dunk. The Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks (9th seed) are currently rolling.
The Bucks will have a lot of convincing to do this summer in order to keep the Greek Freak sold on the franchise where it all started for him. It’s clear that Antetokounmpo prefers to play for the Bucks–where he’s become a homegrown player–but competing for another title is his main priority.
Portis’s public comment on Giannis certainly doesn’t place the situation at ease for Bucks fans. But the reality of the situation has been clear for a while now.