Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has raised eyebrows with a recent comment regarding his future with the team. The two-time NBA MVP admitted that if the Bucks fail to secure a championship this season, a trade could be on the horizon.
In an interview with The Athletic, Antetokounmpo was candid about the pressure in Milwaukee. “Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I might get traded,” Giannis said, via Sam Amick. “This is the job we live. This is the world we’re living in. It’s everybody. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be it for us. … If you don’t do a good enough job, you’re out.”
The comments come as the Bucks gear up for the 2024-25 NBA season, following a disappointing playoff exit last season. Milwaukee’s early exit was largely due to injuries to both Antetokounmpo and new addition Damian Lillard, which led to their first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers. Antetokounmpo’s calf injury and Lillard’s absence were critical factors in the Bucks’ second consecutive first-round exit, raising concerns about the team’s future.
Milwaukee entered the 2023-24 season with high hopes, especially after acquiring Lillard in a blockbuster trade. The addition of the seven-time All-Star was seen as the missing piece to help Antetokounmpo lead the team back to the NBA Finals. However, the team’s performance has fallen short of expectations, intensifying the pressure to win now.
Antetokounmpo’s statement underscores the high stakes for the Bucks this season. With the recent hiring of head coach Doc Rivers, following the dismissal of Adrian Griffin, the team is undergoing significant changes. Rivers, who has a championship pedigree, is tasked with bringing the pieces together to deliver another title for the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo is no stranger to speculation about his future with Milwaukee. In previous seasons, rumors swirled about the possibility of him leaving for another team if the Bucks didn’t remain competitive. After winning the 2021 NBA championship, those rumors quieted, but recent playoff disappointments have reignited concerns about his long-term commitment to the franchise.
Milwaukee’s front office has made aggressive moves to support Antetokounmpo, including trading for Lillard and reshuffling the coaching staff. The message is clear: the Bucks are in win-now mode. However, as Antetokounmpo himself pointed out, success in the NBA is fleeting, and if the Bucks can’t meet expectations, major changes could follow.
The Bucks have consistently been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference during Antetokounmpo’s tenure, but their recent playoff performances have raised questions. In the 2023 playoffs, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat, and the following season, they suffered another first-round upset at the hands of the Pacers. These back-to-back disappointments have put immense pressure on the team to bounce back and contend for a championship.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, all eyes will be on Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. With Lillard in the fold and Rivers at the helm, the team has the pieces to compete for a title. However, Antetokounmpo’s latest comments suggest that the window for success may be closing faster than anticipated.
Whether or not the Bucks can rise to the challenge this season remains to be seen. What is clear, though, is that Antetokounmpo expects nothing less than a championship, and anything short of that could lead to significant changes in Milwaukee.
