Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the face of the Milwaukee Bucks for over a decade, delivering the franchise its first championship in 50 years back in 2021.
But in a recent interview with Sport24, the two-time MVP and Finals MVP admitted something few expected to hear: he is mentally prepared for the possibility of being traded.
“I hope it never happens, but I expect it will,” Giannis said. “Just because you’ve given a lot to the team doesn’t mean the team won’t do what’s best for itself. It’s not the same people in charge as when we won the championship. If they feel I can’t give them what they need, they’ll trade me.”
Giannis’ comments reflect a sobering truth about the modern NBA: no player, no matter how decorated, is untouchable. He pointed to the shocking trade of Luka Dončić from Dallas to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year as proof that even generational stars can be moved without warning.
“If I had my head in the clouds, I’d say, ‘No way I get traded, I’m Giannis Antetokounmpo.’ But I’m grounded. Anything is possible, you never know,” he explained.
The Bucks, who reshaped their roster this offseason by trading Damian Lillard and acquiring Myles Turner, remain in flux. While Giannis is set to begin the 2025–26 season in Milwaukee, his remarks underscore the fragile balance between loyalty and business.
For a franchise that has built its identity around the “Greek Freak,” the idea of moving on from him would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. But as Giannis himself acknowledged, front offices change, priorities shift, and the NBA is ultimately a business.
Giannis also hinted at the possibility of one day returning to Europe, even discussing the idea with his brother Thanasis and his wife.
“I asked her, ‘Would you rather live in Greece or Milwaukee?’ She said, ‘Athens. Athens is super.’ So I told her I’d think about it,” he revealed.
For now, Giannis remains committed to the Bucks, but his words carry weight. They signal both a readiness for whatever comes next and a reminder to fans that even the most iconic partnerships in sports have an expiration date.
The man who once brought Milwaukee its greatest basketball triumph is now openly acknowledging that his future may lie elsewhere… and that he’s at peace with it.
