The Milwaukee Bucks have brought back a long-tenured role player in 33-year-old forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. This reunion isn’t just about family ties; it sends a clear message that Giannis will almost certainly start the 2025-26 season as a Buck, quieting the trade rumors that swirled all summer.
Antetokounmpo has spent five seasons with the Bucks and returns this season with a one-year, $2.9 million contract, having sat out all of the 2024-25 campaign rehabbing an Achilles tendon injury that derailed his previous season.
How Did Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s EuroBasket Performance Secure His Bucks Return?
NBA insider Shams Charania first broke the news of Antetokounmpo’s $2.9 million signing, tweeting, “Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo played for Bucks from 2019-24. This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season.”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo played for Bucks from 2019-24. This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 31, 2025
However, the Antetokounmpo brothers’ focus is on Greece’s participation in the EuroBasket tournament. According to Antetokounmpo, one of the main reasons for the new deal was that the Bucks were excited to see how he’s been performing at this year’s EuroBasket for Greece.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo says his performance in EuroBasket played a role in the Bucks re-signing him
“They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role.”
(Via @Eurohoopsnet ) pic.twitter.com/sO7NpXev99
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 1, 2025
He was quoted as saying that members of the Bucks were watching him play for Greece against Italy, and were impressed: “They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role.”
Greece beat Italy 75-66 in that game, en route to a 3-0 record in EuroBasket, thus qualifying for the last 16. The 33-year-old forward scored six points, plus a block, and three rebounds against Italy in 14 minutes of action off the bench.
What Does This Contract Mean Beyond the Box Score?
Before Antetokounmpo tearing his Achilles tendon, the Bucks used him sparingly off the bench in the 2023-24 season. He appeared in 34 games, averaging less than five minutes per game and scoring under a point. Overall, he averages 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in his Bucks career.
However, it’s not about stats with Antetokounmpo. The Bucks believe his presence can be key off the court, rather than filling up the box score. His value comes from veteran leadership and the family connection that keeps Milwaukee’s franchise cornerstone content.
With the signing, they hope he provides veteran leadership and helps keep his multiple-time MVP and superstar younger brother in Milwaukee for the coming year. Keeping Giannis in Bucks green this season potentially makes signing his older brother priceless.
