• Gilbert Arenas has commented on two Antetokounmpo brothers joining Giannis on the Milwaukee Bucks
• Thanasis has been a part of the franchise since 2019 and their youngest brother Alex was signed and waived so that the team could retain his G League rights
• Gilbert Arenas called the two brothers the ‘perfect water boys’ for a team with Giannis
The Milwaukee Bucks brought back Thanasis Antetokounmpo and signed and waived Alex Antetokounmpo to retain his G League rights for the Wisconsin Herd this offseason. The moves have raised eyebrows, as the Bucks do everything to appease superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo into extending his contract which could run out in 2025.
Gilbert Arenas compared the two Antetokounmpo brothers to water boys, claiming the 14th and 15th roster spot isn’t more important than that.
(Starts at 40:10)
“If I’m Giannis and I have the ability to have my brothers next to me and they couldn’t make it, I’mma do it but let’s really just break it down. I mean, his brothers probably wouldn’t make an NBA team, so what? They are No. 14 and 15. Those spots are exactly for that numbers 14 and 15. Whoever is 14 and 15 isn’t playing any goddamn way, so those spots really don’t even matter, so what Shannon is saying has no factor in what the Greek is proposing. So if that’s going to be the case, then I’m gonna have my true water boys as my brothers versus just some two randoms. They gonna be water boys, period.”
Calling two NBA-caliber player water boys is excessive. Thanasis found his way into the NBA with the New York Knicks but joined the Bucks after a few seasons abroad, adding very little to the on-court aspect of the game.
Alex played on the 2021 Summer League-winning Sacramento Kings roster and played for the Raptors G League affiliate as well. He spent the last season on the Wisconsin Herd and is likely going to continue playing there this season.
Shannon Sharpe Commented On The Antetokounmpo Brothers’ Signing
Arenas was responding to comments made by Shannon Sharpe, blasting Giannis for wanting to leave a franchise that does so much for him, including signing his brothers for little on-court benefit.
“You got your brothers occupying two roster spots. Are we gonna talk about that? You know good and well Giannis, your brothers probably not going to be playing for any other team in the NBA except Milwaukee. And that’s only because of you.”
There is no reason to dispute Shannon’s remarks. The only Antetokounmpo brother to not enter the Bucks setup was Kostas Antetokounmpo, who was the first brother to win an NBA Championship with the 2020 Lakers. That was a roster spot earned on merit but even he’s plying his trade overseas now.
He was drafted into the league by the Mavericks with whom he made his debut in 2019, but last was on the Chicago Bulls in 2022, getting waived without playing a single game for the NBA team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Keeping The Family Close
Many teams in the NBA wouldn’t sign Giannis’ brothers on principle if they weren’t valuable rotational players. As the Lakers have shown this summer, you can build a roster of 15 players with each player possibly having a rotational role if need be.
Alex isn’t on the main team and has an opportunity to prove himself in the G League, but the opportunity has come with the Wisconsin Herd so three out of the four brothers can live in the same city with each other.
If he is serious about leaving, it may lead to his brothers’ NBA careers ending. There is value in having players to manage your primary superstar, and there is no player better suited for that role than Thanasis, that’s why he’s entering his fourth season with the Bucks.
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