In his first comments since a calf injury sidelined him, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo denied any personal discussions with the team about his future, amid rumors that intensified last week. The two-time MVP suggested his agent may be involved independently, as the Bucks continue to falter in the East.
Building on reports last week of heightened trade speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo amid the Bucks' poor start and the NBA trade window's opening, the star forward addressed the rumors directly on Thursday. Speaking to reporters for the first time since his soleus strain on December 3, Antetokounmpo stated, "I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks," emphasizing that his agent, Alex Saratsis, handles matters independently during the season.
He described their professional relationship as hands-off once the NBA season begins: "You don't call my phone. You don't talk to me about endorsement deals. You don't talk to me about basketball." Antetokounmpo likened it to not controlling his wife's shopping habits, saying, "I can't control what she does. So the same thing with my agent."
Now with the Bucks at 11-16 and 11th in the Eastern Conference—having gone 1-3 without him—Antetokounmpo reiterated his 4-6 week return timeline, potentially early January, though he'd push through for a Game 7. The team has denied talks with Saratsis, while recent reports noted conflicting accounts of Antetokounmpo urging teammates to focus on winning.
He also clarified his social media presence, denying a full deletion of Bucks content and seeking more privacy for his family: "I want to be more private moving forward, as much as I can."
No trade demand has emerged, but the Bucks' long championship odds (300-1 at BetMGM) highlight their post-Lillard challenges. New speculation points to the San Antonio Spurs as a potential fit, possibly boosting their title odds significantly.