Giannis Antetokounmpo Reiterates His Love for Milwaukee With Trade Deadline Approaching

Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke about his love and connection to the city of Milwaukee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Reiterates His Love for Milwaukee With Trade Deadline Approaching

Giannis Antetokounmpo supposedly wants to leave Bucks (Image via FirstSportz)

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There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA today. While his performances have not translated into playoff success in recent years, he remains a player who could turn the tide whenever needed. However, the whole situation surrounding Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks is looking very grey at the moment.

It is no longer a secret that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. The ‘Greek Freak’ requested a trade in the offseason, but no deal materialized, so Antetokounmpo decided to stay for another season. But it appears that the Bucks forward is running out of patience after a poor start to the season.

As Antetokounmpo is ruled out for the next few weeks due to injury, the Bucks ended their five-match losing streak with a 131-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. At the moment, they are not even in the play-in spots, as they are 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 19-29 record.

With the trade deadline just two days away, the Bucks forward spoke about his love for the city of Milwaukee in an interview.

I got married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And also, legally, from the courthouse. And also, I’ve had my kids here. My father is buried here. So tell me you, when I open the passport of my kids and it says born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my dad is buried here, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There have been reports that Antetokounmpo is not happy in Milwaukee, especially after the back-and-forth booing with the Bucks fans a couple of weeks ago. Despite the Bucks’ poor record, Antetokounmpo is posting MVP numbers and is currently averaging 28 points, ten rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting at 64.5% from the field.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to retire in Milwaukee

Drafted as the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo has grown into one of the best players in the league. Currently in his 13th season with the Bucks, the Greek star is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. He won them their first NBA championship in 2021 after 50 years.

Antetokounmpo has been vocal about his love for the city and its people. He spoke to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about his trade talks and believes the Bucks can still put together a competitive roster with him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image credits – Sky Sports)

I always listen and trust. But what I’m trying to say, how many chances do I have left to win a championship? So, you just gotta [be] more careful and more urgent in every decision that you make moving forward. If you ask me what do I really want, deep down in my heart? I want to be a Milwaukee Buck until I retire and win a championship here.

This is not the first time Antetokounmpo has expressed his desire to stay in Milwaukee. With superstars often jumping teams in search of a championship, a common sight in the NBA, Antetokounmpo hopes to see out his career in one club.

Strongest suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo

While Antetokounmpo has come out and said that he would never ask for a trade from the Bucks, it appears that the club has decided to move on from their all-time points leader. It has been reported that the 31-year-old is ready for a new home at the trade deadline.

NBA Insider Shams Charania, who reported that the Bucks are willing to let Antetokounmpo go, revealed his strongest suitors on the Inside the NBA tip-off show.

Giannis has informed the necessary Bucks officials that he believes that the time has come now for both of the sides to move on after 13 years. There are teams in both conferences. I would look at Minnesota and Golden State in the West. New York and Miami in the east. Those are four of the strong suitors for Giannis right now on the market.

With Antetokounmpo ruled out for four to six weeks due to an injury he suffered against the Denver Nuggets, it looks like he has played his final game for the Bucks if he is traded at the trade deadline. The Bucks will want plenty of draft compensation to hit the ground running in a rebuild if they trade their franchise superstar.

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