Giannis Antetokounmpo expresses concerns regarding the Bucks, leaves door open for a comeback.
PHILADELPHIA — Following the Milwaukee Bucks’ season-ending 126-106 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Giannis Antetokounmpo conveyed mixed messages regarding his future with the team.
On one side, he expressed uncertainty about whether he has played his last game for the Bucks, the sole franchise he has represented throughout his 13-year NBA career. Conversely, Antetokounmpo did not dismiss the possibility of signing another extension with the team in October if an offer is made.
Antetokounmpo, dressed in a sweatsuit in the corner of the visiting locker room, answered questions for approximately 10 minutes, shortly after coach Doc Rivers conducted what is likely his final media session of a Hall of Fame coaching career.
“That’s a very good question,” Antetokounmpo replied with a smile when asked if he had played his last game in a Milwaukee uniform. “I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
Throughout his media availability, Antetokounmpo did not hide his dissatisfaction with how the season unfolded, stating that the Bucks are as distant from contention as they have ever been during his tenure and mentioning the lack of communication with the organization.
However, he also did not rule out the chance of signing an extension with the Bucks if he remains on the roster when he becomes eligible to sign an extension with Milwaukee on Oct. 1.
“I feel like sometimes people just don’t listen,” he stated. “They listen to the sources. The main source is me. It is what it is. So again, do not disturb on my phone, go about my day, improve, and come back better.”
But where will Antetokounmpo be playing when he returns? The question of whether Milwaukee will ultimately part ways with their superstar forward will be the most significant issue looming over the NBA this summer. This topic has been present in the league for over a year, including the Bucks considering offers for him prior to February’s trade deadline.
There has also been ongoing frustration on Antetokounmpo’s part regarding his desire to return and play this season. Specifically, he wanted to compete alongside both of his brothers on the roster – Thanasis and Alex – but was informed he could not, and he contested the idea that he was not physically prepared to play.
“At this point? Zero,” Antetokounmpo said when asked if he had control over his situation. “I don’t have control. Being cleared to play, I don’t understand … from my understanding, coming back to play, which I don’t think I ever had any return to play protocol, but to my understanding was I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play. I did that multiple times. I’ve never in my life denied participation in practice.
“I don’t know who said that, who came up with that, but that’s disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself my whole career, pretty much.
“But I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It probably comes from my boss, probably comes from the members of the front office or the owners. So I thought I had control kind of like, ‘OK, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play.’ But this shows me that not just me, just players in general, don’t have control. We got to do what we’ve been told. So to answer your question, no. I didn’t feel like I had control.”
When it was then asked of Antetokounmpo whether the ongoing back-and-forth with the Bucks boils down to communication, he spoke with a smile about how strong his marriage is due to the communication he shares with his wife.
“I’m very big on communication,” Antetokounmpo remarked. “I’ve always been open, but I don’t know if that … it’s got to go both ways. It has to go both ways. That cannot go one way.”
One area where two-way communication may come into play is in potential extension discussions in the fall — assuming Antetokounmpo is not traded earlier this offseason. Last month, Bucks owner Wes Edens informed ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Antetokounmpo will either be extended or traded before he can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
When asked if he would be open to an extension if he remains on the team in October, Antetokounmpo did not dismiss the possibility.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Antetokounmpo stated. “We have [several] months [until then] … it’s a long time. But somebody has to offer you that, for you to sign. I haven’t been offered an extension. So if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and my family.
“But if it’s not on the table, then I have to focus on how I can improve my worth and get on the floor and do what I do.”
Regardless, the Bucks have numerous matters to address this summer. They will be seeking a new coach, and additional changes may also occur. This is expected after the franchise experienced a nine-year postseason streak end due to a 32-50 record this season. Antetokounmpo emphasized that he believes the record reflects the team’s current standing.
“We’re very bad. We are the furthest away that we’ve been in the last couple of years,” he said. “How many wins do we have? 32? This is the second lowest wins I’ve ever had. So yeah, we’re the furthest away that we’ve been, I think. So we’ll see.
“This is what we have in front of us. I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we’re going to be next year.
“So if everything goes well, hopefully the Bucks want me here, why not? But if they don’t? Okay.”
