Just when it seemed like the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga had quieted down, the speculation is heating up once again. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Giannis is still in the process of evaluating his future in Milwaukee, and nothing is set in stone. Despite the Bucks making aggressive moves to build a contending roster around him, the two-time MVP has not yet committed to staying long term.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, Shams revealed that Giannis continues to ask the same fundamental question internally, that if he can win a championship with this roster.
"Sources tell me there’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or if he’ll be leaving. He’s continuing to evaluate his future. I reported in mid-May that he’s been weighing whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere. That process is still ongoing."
"There have been some very real conversations over the last week or so. The constant question Giannis keeps asking is: Can I win a championship with this roster? He wants to know if this team, both for the upcoming season and the 2026–27 campaign, is capable of helping him secure a second title."
"That question has become a recurring theme for him. And there are multiple teams waiting in the wings, should Giannis ultimately decide to move on this offseason."
"This is a tough decision. He’s spent 12 years in Milwaukee. He’s built equity. He won a championship there. Making a move like this would not be easy."
"Now, to their credit, the Milwaukee Bucks have made bold moves to try to retain him. They waived and stretched Damian Lillard’s $113 million contract, a significant financial decision—to show Giannis they’re doing everything they can to keep him."
"But ultimately, it comes down to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s the final decider. And right now, he’s still determining whether this roster is good enough."
That uncertainty is what’s fueling the ongoing rumors, even after the Bucks made a major financial decision by waiving and stretching Damian Lillard’s $113 million contract this summer, a move clearly designed to signal their commitment to reshaping the roster and showing Giannis they’re all-in.
In response to losing Lillard, Milwaukee signed veteran big man Myles Turner, hoping to address their interior defense and add some floor spacing. While Turner is a quality addition, the Bucks' overall roster still doesn’t match up with the best in the NBA.
And with the Eastern Conference wide open, particularly with the Boston Celtics dealing with Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and the Indiana Pacers facing the same scenario with Tyrese Haliburton, Giannis is left wondering whether Milwaukee has the pieces to capitalize.
It’s a difficult situation. Giannis has spent his entire 12-year NBA career with the Bucks, delivering them a long-awaited championship in 2021 and building deep roots in the city. He's beloved by the community, and he’s previously shown loyalty that few stars in the modern era have displayed.
But this is the first time that loyalty appears to be on pause. As Shams noted, the process of evaluating his fit in Milwaukee versus elsewhere is still very much ongoing.
Earlier this summer, rumors flared up for the first time in Giannis' career. Shams was the first to report that the Greek Freak was open to a potential departure, and multiple teams began to position themselves as suitors.
The Houston Rockets led the way briefly before landing Kevin Durant, though some believed they might still keep the door open for a Giannis pursuit. The New York Knicks were another rumored destination until Mikal Bridges’ looming contract extension suggested a pivot away from chasing another superstar.
In the aftermath of those rumors, Bucks President Peter Feigin publicly shot down any trade speculation, declaring that Giannis was not being moved “anytime soon.”
And other insiders claimed there was "no market" for him, not because there was no interest, but because no team believed Milwaukee would ever seriously entertain offers.
But now, the conversation is shifting again. The Bucks’ latest roster still lacks a true co-star at the elite level. And while Turner’s arrival helps, it’s not the kind of seismic addition Giannis may have been hoping for.
Ultimately, the decision rests with him. For now, the door remains open. And across the league, rival teams are circling, waiting for the moment when Giannis finally decides his championship dreams may lie outside of Milwaukee.
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