It has been an annoying annual tradition for Milwaukee Bucks fans for about six or seven years now. At the end of every season, regardless of how far they went in the NBA Playoffs, regardless of how good or bad the team appears to be, the national media kicks off their summer the same way: by pondering when/if Giannis Antetokounmpo will request a trade away from Milwaukee.
Even after Giannis led the Bucks to the NBA Championship in 2021, national media talking heads and writers were posing potential trade scenarios that would land in him in a bigger market and, in their opinion, give him a better chance to win another ring.
And every year, Bucks fans wait anxiously for their two-time MVP, the greatest player in franchise history, to make a statement regarding his future. But to be fair, he should not have to. Time and time again, the Greek Freak has said that he wants to spend his entire career in Milwaukee as long as the team is committed to winning.
Well, that statement came this week, but the national media has not said anything about it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants to Be Back in the Finals with the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates after winning game six of the 2021 NBA Finals and the championship against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
As some fans may be aware, Giannis is currently in Brazil with his family to take in soccer matches. While there, however, he is doing some appearances on Brazilian podcasts and other forms of media.
During one such appearance, the Greek Freak was asked which team he is rooting for to win the NBA Finals: the Oklahoma City Thunder, or the Indiana Pacers (who knocked Giannis and Milwaukee out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season).
He replied, “There are two great teams that got there. Indiana, with my friend Pascal Siakam, is reaping the rewards, and OKC simply has the MVP [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander]. I’m rooting for good basketball.
“The Finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks.”
With. The. Bucks.
Interestingly, it was Eurohoops, a European media outlet, that brought the report of Giannis’ statement to social media:
🇬🇷👀 Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to return to the NBA Finals with the Milwaukee Bucks pic.twitter.com/u33Of11oSf
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 10, 2025
And in the hours that have followed this report, American national reporters have not acknowledged the statement. At all.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Want National Reporters to Admit They Were Wrong About Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jul 22, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Instead of echoing what Giannis said, that he wants to be back in the Finals soon with the Bucks, national reporters started saying things to the tune of, “Well, it appears that momentum is shifting back towards Milwaukee.”
“Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him.”
– Brian Windhorst
(🎥 @GetUpESPN / h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/YFYGmeYCaw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2025
And Bucks fans are not having any of it. For weeks, once again, they have had to put up with talking heads who hate the city of Milwaukee discussing possible landing spots for the city’s most beloved sports figure.
So they are calling them out on social media:
So are people just gonna brush off the fact that Shams was on ESPN every week for 2 straight months knowingly lying just to generate more clicks for them??? https://t.co/cFJVlTFEj9
— 🥤 (@34for2) June 10, 2025
See you guys again next year 👍 https://t.co/ZvXyaf9w7F
— KDG 🧀🦌 (@Official414) June 10, 2025
Hahahaha….until next off season when we go through this all over again. #Bucks #Giannis https://t.co/I1Pe54Hqz1
— Steve Fifer (@SparkyRadio) June 10, 2025
Have some shame @ShamsCharania and @WindhorstESPN https://t.co/qzA7WwPFP6
— Sam (@SamDikanovic) June 10, 2025
Obviously, it is not likely any of them will admit that they were wrong or just stirring the pot. However, it is at least good to know that, despite their efforts, Giannis is staying put.
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