We all know Giannis Antetokounmpo is the star of the show in Milwaukee, but how much power does he really hold? Speaking on the ‘Club 520’ podcast, former veteran point guard Jeff Teague argued that the Greek Freak basically runs the franchise after seeing that his brother, Thanasis, recently signed for a one-year, $2.9 million contract.
“I see they are running that championship squad back, I might publish a highlight reel as well, run the band back,” said Teague. “Giannis is a GOAT man, signed his brother, he’ll sit on the courtside until he’s healthy, and then he returns to the courtside.”
While nepotism is not exclusive to Giannis, he’s one of the most obvious examples, given what the Bucks are willing to do in order to keep him happy.
“Alright, we’re talking about nepotism and that kind of stuff, but that boy was drafted, too. He can hoop. I ain’t never going to say he can’t hoop, he obviously can, we just saw his highlights,” Teague added. “But without Giannis, you just wouldn’t think [it would happen]. Giannis is their part-owner, man.”
Thanasis is Giannis’ older brother, and they have a notoriously tight bond after growing up in poverty. They took care of each other, and maybe this is Giannis’ way of paying him back. Of course, while his stats are relatively low (2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game), he has been known to provide a boost off the bench with his athleticism, strength, and size.
Thanasis was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2014, but he only played two games there before returning to play in Europe; first for the MoraBanc Andorra and then for Panathinaikos F.C., where he won back-to-back championships.
Interestingly, Thanasis returned to the Bucks in 2019, where he’s been ever since. Despite regular and repeated contracts, Thanasis has always played a very minimal role for the Bucks, and he has yet to surpass 10 minutes per game in any season. In 2024-25, he was down to 4.6 minutes per game.
Yet, after signing a new contract this summer, Thanasis is set to return once again, and it’s hard to believe that Giannis doesn’t have anything to do with it. Just like LeBron James pushed the Lakers to sign his son, Giannis likely has a major influence on his brother’s place on the team.
Whether you love it or hate it, it’s just a reality of the NBA: stars have more power than the average player, both on and off the court. In Giannis’ case, he’s not just a star for the Bucks, he’s their future, their face, and their entire identity. He’s brought a championship to the city and keeps them in the mix every season that he’s healthy and active.
As a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA player, and NBA champion, Giannis has earned the right to reserve a spot for his brother, and it doesn’t mean Thanasis doesn’t belong. He’s proven he’s good enough to contribute and ensure that his brother’s endorsement doesn’t go to waste. Plus, with a $2.9 million contract, the Bucks have nothing to lose by keeping him on the team, and if it helps ensure Giannis’ loyalty, it’s worth every penny.
