Charles Barkley is calling out the talk of Giannis Antetokounmpo forcing a trade to the Knicks. On The Rich Eisen Show, the Hall of Famer defended the Milwaukee Bucks and said they’ve done everything possible to help Giannis compete, adding that he wishes someone loved him as much as the Bucks love their superstar.
“You know, it’s interesting how these guys feel like they’re entitled to play for the championship every year,” Barkley said. “As a great player, you should feel like ‘I’m a great player, if I get any help, we’re going to win.’ You gotta give the Milwaukee Bucks credit, because I wish a person would love me as much as the Bucks love Giannis. They went out and got him, Damian Lillard. They went out and got him Myles Turner. They have done everything possible to try to make the Bucks win again, so the notion that he doesn’t feel like they’re doing everything in their power, they have done everything.”
In Barkley’s day, loyalty was everything, and players didn’t often just leave their teams behind to pursue a different path. In today’s player empowerment era, however, loyalty is a dying virtue that has been replaced by ambition. Whether it’s a bigger role or a better chance to compete, players are always pursuing something more for their careers, and the trend holds for Giannis.
This summer, he was reconsidering his future as multiple teams tried to make their pitch. While he’s still under contract until 2027, he could have forced his way out in the same way that guys like Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard have done. With no Finals appearance since 2021, Giannis felt a lack of confidence in his team and a sense of hopelessness about their trajectory.
He reportedly seriously considered a move to New York but ultimately decided against it to return for his 13th season in Milwaukee. While he’s committed to staying (for now), Giannis Antetokounmpo did not offer any guarantees about the future. In fact, he left the door open for his departure in a few months, and many executives believe it’s only a matter of time before he’s on a different team.
As it stands, it’s clear that Giannis is desperate to win, and he doesn’t have the patience to wait around and hope for the Bucks to get better. While he may already be a 2x MVP and NBA champion, Giannis is keeping standards high for Milwaukee, and if they can’t keep up with his expectations, he may end up leaving them for good.
Fortunately, with Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and other veteran role-players, the Bucks have a solid core in place. If Giannis can just lead the way and maximize their talents, it will go a long way toward restoring the franchise to a position of power in the East. Of course, to truly earn Giannis’ loyalty, the Bucks will have to make a move for another star, less than one season removed from waiving Damian Lillard.
Ultimately, Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to win above all else, and Barkley’s comments show that the pressure is now squarely on Milwaukee to deliver. The Bucks have made bold moves and proven their loyalty, but that may not be enough if Giannis starts to feel restless again. For now, the partnership stands strong, but if this season falls short, Barkley might be right that even the love Milwaukee has shown won’t be enough to keep their superstar home.
