As the 2025 NBA offseason approaches, the Milwaukee Bucks will be one of many teams angling to make some major changes. While the Bucks would prefer to keep their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, for the long run, agents around the league believe that it’s only a matter of time before he forces their hand with a trade demand.
“Several agents polled at the recent NBA combine in Chicago believe that the former NBA MVP will direct the Bucks to send him to his preferred location, whatever that might be,” wrote Eric Pincus. “The closer he gets to the end of his contract, the greater his power to dissuade other suitors.”
Giannis, 30, was drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013. Coming out of Greece, Giannis gained international attention for his size and skill, and he rose to stardom right away. By his fourth season, Giannis was already the leading face in Milwaukee, but it was just the start of a historic run for the Greek superstar.
Today, as an 11-year veteran, Giannis has solidified his legacy as one of the best players in the game, and he’s got the accolades to prove it as a 2x MVP, NBA champion, 9x All-Star, and 8x All-NBA player.
For most of his career, Giannis was all about loyalty, and he made it clear that he had no desire to leave Milwaukee. Unfortunately, his loyalty is now being questioned after multiple failed seasons, and an injury to Damian Lillard has jeopardized the Bucks’ future.
At this stage of his career, Giannis wants to win, and he knows that he doesn’t have the patience to deal with another rebuild. In their current situation, the Bucks only have limited options for improvement and, even then, it’s unlikely to be enough to challenge the likes of the Celtics, Knicks, or Pacers in the East.
If he wants to win, the best route for Giannis would be to demand a trade from the Bucks and begin with a clean slate somewhere else. If he were to move teams, Giannis has very specific desires for his next destination, and his preferences have essentially limited the teams to the Knicks, Nets, and the Miami Heat.
In a place like New York, Giannis could get everything he wants: a chance to compete in one of the biggest markets in the league. With the Knicks, Giannis could elevate the team to a whole new level of contention while growing his personal brand and business more than he’s ever done before.
If he chooses the Heat, Giannis will get a clean slate to play under Pat Riley and live out the ‘Heat Culture’ that he’s grown to admire so much over the years. With young big man Bam Adebayo by his side, he might be able to lift Miami to the top of the standings and lead them to prosperity after the Jimmy Butler fiasco.
Whatever the future holds in store for Giannis, he’s the kind of player who can easily shift the NBA’s balance of power. If he leaves the Bucks and ends up somewhere else (this summer or next), it will have massive implications on the NBA title picture and which teams will be leading the standings for the next few years to come.
