Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally addressed the swirling trade rumors and as always, he did it in his own unique, low-key way. In a livestream with YouTube and Twitch star IShowSpeed, Giannis was asked about the constant speculation linking him to markets like Los Angeles and New York.
IShowSpeed: “L.A., the tax is bad. New York tax is bad. Hell nah.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo: “A lot of people try to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there and stuff.”
IShowSpeed: “So you stay in Milwaukee?”
Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Probably. We’ll see. We’ll see. Probably. I love Milwaukee.”
“Probably. We’ll see. I love Milwaukee.”
– Giannis on staying in Milwaukee
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 10, 2025
As every move he makes has been dissected this summer, from social media posts to vacation spots, his brief but revealing reply offered the clearest signal yet about where his heart lies.
But the reigning face of the Milwaukee Bucks wasn’t ready to make promises. Instead, he left the door cracked just enough to keep everyone guessing.
And that’s exactly where the story is right now. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last month that there is “no trade market” for Giannis because he hasn’t asked for one and the Bucks are not actively shopping him. But that hasn’t stopped teams from dreaming.
The Rockets, Lakers, Knicks, Heat, and Warriors have all been loosely connected to the two-time MVP through whispers, backchannels, and wishful thinking.
Still, for all the smoke, there’s no visible fire. If anything, the Bucks have made moves this offseason to double down on Giannis, not move away from him. They waived Damian Lillard, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, and instead brought in veteran center Myles Turner.
They also added useful role players like Gary Harris, Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims. It’s not exactly a superteam, but it’s a start.
Giannis, meanwhile, remains in his prime. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists last season on a jaw-dropping 60.1% from the field. He’s 30 now, with a player option in 2027, meaning he holds all the leverage. And he knows it.
So, what does “probably” mean in the grand scheme of things? It means Giannis is open to staying in Milwaukee, but he needs to be convinced. The Bucks will need to win and win now to ensure his long-term loyalty. Another first-round exit and the calculus could shift quickly.
Until then, his words stand as both a comfort and a warning.
But “probably” isn’t a promise. It’s a possibility, one that the entire league will be watching closely.
