Lots of NBA followers say Milwaukee Bucks is not a destination. The same thing is being said right now concerning Giannis Antetokounmpo and the team’s ability to build a team around him.
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
That’s not the case though for eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard who recently revealed that he wanted to go and play in Milwaukee. His main reason – the Greek Freak.
The Bucks were an up and coming team around 7-8 years ago. They eventually became the best team in the league records-wise in 2019 although they failed to win the title after falling to the eventual champs Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Dwight Howard
Jan 15, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball from the floor past Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bucks 111-98.Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Howard was already bouncing from one team to another one a one-year contract by this time. However, he was already aware of the team’s potential long before that.
Dwight Howard’s interest on the Milwaukee Bucks
Howard, who was inducted to the Naismith Hall of Fame this year, has some regrets about his decisions after the Orlando Magic with whom he won all his five All-NBA First Team. He even uses that scenario to advise Giannis regarding his offseason decision.
Another thing that could fall into his ‘what could have been’ was the chance to play with Antetokounmpo in late 2010s.
Talking to former Bucks guard Jeff Teague, who was also part of the 2021 title-winning team, he revealed that he wanted to go to Wisconsin to play with Antetokounmpo who was yet to win his two MVPs.
Dwight Howard
Apr 10, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
“At one point in my career, I was trying to go to Milwaukee when I played for the Rockets,” he said during an appearance at the 520 Club Podcast.
“You want me to tell y’all the truth? I was like, ‘I see some potential in Milwaukee.’ Before y’all won the championship with Giannis, I was like, ‘Man, I see some potential in Milwaukee. I want to play with Giannis and all that.’ And then a couple years later, y’all won the chip.”
Obviously, it did not happen. Howard still won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 although he was not in his prime anymore in this era.
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