Giannis Antetokounmpo had a chaotic 2025-26 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. From injuries to trade drama to the media circus to growing tension behind the scenes, it was a wild year. Will it be his last in Milwaukee?
After the Bucks opted to keep Antetokounmpo through the NBA trade deadline in February, the expectation was that Milwaukee would move him over the offseason instead. Bucks co-owner Wes Edens stated that Giannis will either “be extended or he’ll be traded,” while co-owner Jimmy Haslam said he expects a resolution before the NBA Draft on June 23.
The message is clear: The Greek Freak will either sign a new multi-year deal with the franchise or he’ll be traded. While many NBA analysts have been predicting an Antetokounmpo trade this summer, a poll of 151 NBA players had a shocking result.
NBA Players Predict Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Remain With the Bucks
The Athletic polled 151 players anonymously, and the majority of players shockingly predicted that Antetokounmpo will remain with the Bucks.
A whopping 45.7% (69 out of 151 players) believe that Antetokounmpo will begin next season in Milwaukee. The runner-up was the Miami Heat, who received 23.2% of votes (35 players). Rounding out the top five were the New York Knicks (16.6%), Los Angeles Lakers (3.3%), and Golden State Warriors (2%).
NBA players voted on which team they think Giannis Antetokounmpo will begin next season on:
Bucks: 45.7%
Heat: 23.2%
Knicks: 16.6%
Lakers: 3.3%
Warriors: 2%
Timberwolves: 2%
Rockets: 1.3%
Raptors: 1.3%(Via @TheAthletic, h/t @HeatCulture13) pic.twitter.com/eH5reDo8ee
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 18, 2026
“It’s worth noting that these answers were procured before the latest escalation,” The Athletic noted.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are “fully open for business” when it comes to a potential Antetokounmpo trade before the draft. Antetokounmpo has one more guaranteed year left on his contract worth $58,456,566, followed by a $62,786,682 player option for the 2027-28 season. This is why the Bucks want to extend him this offseason.
If the Bucks decide to trade Giannis, the Heat and Knicks are two of the most likely destinations due to their strong interest and active pursuit of the Bucks superstar.
Last season, the Bucks missed the playoffs and saw their record plummet to 32-50. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game across 36 appearances. He battled injuries throughout the year, but there was tension between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks late in the season because he wanted to play but the team insisted that he shut it down.
Given how last season ended and the tension between the two sides, it seems tough to imagine Antetokounmpo returning to Milwaukee. However, it wouldn’t be the first time that this saga seemed to be heading toward a breakup only for Giannis to stay put.
