With the approaching NBA Draft and free-agency period being overshadowed by trade rumors, the league’s most coveted star has dropped a rather cryptic social media post into the discussion.
‘GOD,’ Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo began, ‘I trusted you at the beginning, and I will continue to trust you throughout.’
The post includes a black-and-white photo of Antetokounmpo with his back towards the camera as he walks away in the opposite direction.
Naturally, with Antetokounmpo rumored to be attracting offers from Boston and Miami, many of the Greek Freak’s followers took his post as something of a farewell.
‘We had a good run,’ one Bucks fan wrote while sharing a photo of Antetokounmpo from 2021, when he led Milwaukee to a title.
‘Thank you for inspiring me and so many others,’ another fan added. ‘You’re my basketball GOAT.’
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play elsewhere in 2026-27
Although he remains one of the NBA’s premier talents and a perennial All-Star, Antetokounmpo’s future has been clouded by the Bucks’ recent struggles, the team’s decision to replace head coach Doc Rivers with Taylor Jenkins, and his own contract situation.
Currently he’s entering the final two years of his three-year, $175 million extension. But the 31-year-old NBA champion, two-time MVP and future Hall of Famer becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1 if he remains in Milwaukee, or six months later if he’s traded to a new team.
Rather than continuing to pay Antetokounmpo north of $60 million annually, and building a championship-caliber roster around him, the Bucks now appear ready for a rebuild, according to multiple reports.
‘The conversation will be simple: Where does [Giannis] want to be moved, and where will he sign long term?’ one source told ESPN in May.
Jaylen Brown would be the like centerpiece of any offer the Celtics make to the Bucks
As NBA Insider Jake Fischer has reported, Miami’s offer is based around guard Tyler Herro
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Antetokounmpo is willing to sign an extension with the Heat or the Celtics.
‘There were a ton of teams that made offers, that have robust interest in Giannis, but a high, high level it comes down to Giannis for a guy that’s got one year left guaranteed on his contract, you have a lot of control on your future,’ Charania told ESPN’s Pat McAfee on Monday.
‘… They need to know that Giannis will sign long-term, and right now, the Heat and the Celtics are the only two teams involved that have gotten a commitment from Giannis that he’s willing to sign long-term,’ Charania continued. ‘That’s allowed Milwaukee really to leverage both teams against each other and now they have a decision to make and both deals are totally different.’
As NBA Insider Jake Fischer has reported, Miami’s offer is based around guard Tyler Herro, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and center Kel’el Ware, while Boston would offer All-Star Jaylen Brown and a number of other assets.
Novak Djokovic speaks with Giannis Antetokounmpo while watching a EuroLeague playoffs basketball game between Olympiacos and AS Monaco in Piraeus near Athens
In both scenarios, a third team could be included in any finalized deal.
Such a trade would be difficult for a fan base and player who have grown understandably fond of one another. Antetokounmpo’s brothers Thanasis and Alex have both played for Milwaukee, which has come to treat the 6ft 11in Giannis as something of a city savior.
‘My plan is to be here for the rest of my career,’ Antetokounmpo told reporters in January. ‘If they don’t want me … I’m not the one in charge. I am an employee.’
A month later, Antetokounmpo doubled down to ESPN: ‘You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.’
But the math for everyone appears to be changing following the Bucks’ disastrous 32-50 finish. While Antetokounmpo can now turn his attention to winning another title in a second NBA city, the Bucks are seeking a major young talent and a surplus of draft picks, according to Charania.
