The Milwaukee Bucks are making headlines again after waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner, a move that has fueled speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the team.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, has been vocal about his desire to win another NBA championship, and his reaction to the Lillard situation has only added to the drama.
Meanwhile, a recent revelation from a former Bucks player about Antetokounmpo’s influence on team decisions is the latest twist in a franchise story that never seems to slow down.
John Henson Reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo Blocked Trade for Jimmy Butler III
John Henson, selected by the Bucks with the No. 14 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, spent six seasons in Milwaukee before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and later the Detroit Pistons.
On SiriusXM NBA Radio, Henson shared a story about Antetokounmpo’s rare involvement in front-office decisions. According to Henson, Antetokounmpo once blocked a major trade that would have sent Khris Middleton to another team in exchange for Jimmy Butler III.
“There was a trade…Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap – Giannis was like ‘nah we’re not doing that’ – that was only time I ever saw him stand up and say something” 👀@Johnhenson31 gives insight to @worldwidewob & @adaniels33 about Giannis and the team’s front office. pic.twitter.com/bmEmkfJgR4
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 2, 2025
“Specifically, there was a trade, talking about a long time ago, Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap. Giannis was like, ‘Nah, we’re not doing that.’ So, that was the only time I’ve ever seen him kind of stand up and say something.
“So if something is wrong, he will say something, but for the most part he lets the front office do its thing,” Henson explained. He noted that Antetokounmpo usually takes a hands-off approach to trades, making this instance stand out.
Fans have debated whether the Bucks missed a big opportunity by not trading Middleton for Butler, but Henson’s story is about a potential deal from at least seven years ago. Since then, both players have taken different paths.
Butler has become one of the league’s top clutch performers, while Middleton played a key role in Milwaukee’s 2021 NBA Finals win. In the six-game series, Middleton averaged 24 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 35.6% from three-point range.
Some have speculated that the Bucks might have won more championships with Butler, but Middleton’s contributions were crucial to the team’s success. He was the second most important player on the roster during the championship run, and the franchise reached its ultimate goal with him in that role.
With Lillard now gone, Antetokounmpo’s reported displeasure has left fans uneasy about the team’s future.
Turner is a strong addition, but losing Lillard after early playoff exits in the last two seasons raises questions about whether the move will make a significant difference for a team that has struggled in the postseason.
If Milwaukee decides to trade Antetokounmpo, suitors like the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks would likely be at the front of the line.
