After the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year's playoffs, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo was open-minded about leaving the Bucks this offseason.
Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks, who have won just one postseason series since winning the 2021 title against the Phoenix Suns.
Milwaukee may not be a championship contender next season since Damian Lillard could miss the entire campaign recovering from his left Achilles tendon tear.
Lillard's injury is why many people believe Antetokounmpo, 30, should request a trade from the Bucks this offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may stay in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may stay in Milwaukee.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
However, according to Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm, “several teams” around the NBA assume Antetokounmpo will remain with Milwaukee.
“There hasn’t been a definitive and certain statement from Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Bucks leaked to the media about his intention to stay, but the tea leaves all read that way, and that’s the assumption being made by several teams,” Moore wrote.
“So once again, everyone buried the Giannis Bucks era, and once again, the Greatest Buck Ever looks set to stay the course with the team that drafted him. You can’t blame Bucks fans for laughing at everyone and taking the victory lap once again.”
Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed The Greek Freak to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.
If Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks, next season will be his 13th campaign with the Bucks.