Giannis Antetokounmpo discusses his dedication to the Bucks and pursuit of a championship.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirmed his dedication to the Milwaukee Bucks while expressing his ambition to achieve a second championship alongside the one he secured in 2021.
“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks,” Antetokounmpo stated in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews during NBA All-Star Weekend. “I’m dedicated to the individuals I collaborate with, my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc [Rivers], and [GM] Jon [Horst] in the front office.
“What I’ve communicated since the start of this year is that, based on my words and actions, you will never hear me express that I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
Prior to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo had been contemplating a change of scenery for several months, whether through an in-season trade or during the offseason, and that the Bucks had entertained offers for the two-time MVP.
No agreement materialized—despite interest from teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves—and both parties are anticipated to reassess a possible trade in the offseason, sources indicated.
In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding his future, Antetokounmpo has publicly expressed his loyalty to the Bucks. Shortly after the trade deadline, he posted on Instagram, “Legends don’t chase. They attract,” alongside a clip from the film “The Wolf of Wall Street” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio’s character asserting he is not leaving his job.
He also mentioned to The Athletic in January that “There will never be a moment that I will come out and say, ‘I want a trade.'”
However, during his conversation with Andrews, Antetokounmpo acknowledged childhood fantasies about playing for different teams.
“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron passes me the ball?'” Antetokounmpo remarked, noting that he has considered how he would fit in with recent championship-winning teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics.
The Bucks will resume play after the All-Star break with a record of 23-30, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since Jan. 23 due to a strained right calf, although Rivers stated last week that the Bucks do not plan to shut down their star player.
Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star but will not participate in Sunday’s inaugural U.S. vs. World format.
When asked by Andrews to reflect on the Bucks’ 2020-21 NBA championship, Antetokounmpo compared it to savoring a delicious steak, emphasizing his desire for another opportunity at a title.
“You want that steak again,” he stated.
At the same time, Antetokounmpo wants to ensure that no one perceives him as having given up on the Bucks, telling Andrews, “This is my team, and I love it.”
