Thanasis Antetokounmpo Announcing His Return on $2.9 Million Deal has Fans in Splits: “Bucks Doing Everything to Keep Giannis”

Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not play for the Milwaukee Bucks last season as he did not receive a contract after tearing his Achilles tendon.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Announcing His Return on $2.9 Million Deal has Fans in Splits: “Bucks Doing Everything to Keep Giannis”

Thanasis Antetokounmpo to return to Bucks (Image via FirstSportz)

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Even before the 2024-25 season ended, there were rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo wanting to leave the Milwaukee Bucks for a better chance at competing. With his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, not on the roster last season, it seemed as if there was a chance of an exit.

Initially, the rumors circled around the New York Knicks. However, it soon shifted to the Brooklyn Nets, as they had the trade assets to acquire the two-time league MVP, while also possessing enough draft picks to bring in other prime stars.

Those rumors did not materialize, and the Bucks proceeded with their task of building a team to support the Greek Freak. Out went injured Damian Lillard through a contract buyout, and Brook Lopez through free agency.

In return, they signed 2025 NBA Finalist Myles Turner and a host of other impactful rotation pieces as they look to play through their most important superstar. Earlier, they decided to add one more piece to their puzzle.

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 wrote on X

This means the Milwaukee Bucks have done more than enough to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo from leaving. Moments after this news broke, Thanasis Antetokounmpo added a tweet of his own to this:

I’m back.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo wrote

The 33-year-old is known for his jovial side as well as his pranks. The always smiling forward is a fan favorite, even though he knows he will hardly get any minutes.

Fans react to Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s return to Bucks

When fans saw this news, most of them broke out into a smile. Everyone knows that he is there as support for his younger brother. At the same time, they cannot let go of the fact that he occupies a bench spot that can be used to sign another star.

It was the way Thanasis Antetokounmpo announced his return that had fans in splits. They believe he is about to continue his legacy as one of the most unhinged characters in the league.

Be it standing up for his brother, or missing easy layups, or cheering Giannis Antetokounmpo whenever he plays well, the older Greek forward is there for it all. Some examples of those social media reactions are listed below.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo was out last season with a torn Achilles tendon. Surgery saw him sit courtside as a fan, as he was a free agent. Now, he hopes that his performances at EuroBasket catch the attention of head coach Doc Rivers.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo helping Greece at EuroBasket

When Greece qualified for EuroBasket 2025, there was not much hope among basketball fans. After all, the tournament features powerhouses Serbia, Germany, Turkey, Poland, and France.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo playing for Greece
Thanasis Antetokounmpo playing for Greece (Image via Michal Pacuda/X)

Greece was not favored to make it past either of them in the knockout stages, that is, if they fared well in the group games. So far, they have been outstanding.

Admittedly, they are not facing the best competition, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has led his adopted nation to a stellar 3-0 record, which has helped them to top Group C.

He has two of his brothers with him on the team, with both performing decently. Thanasis Antetokounmpo contributed 2 each in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and personal fouls.

He needed 13 minutes to see those numbers beside his name. But more importantly, it was a sequence of plays that should interest Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo stole the ball from a Georgian player, dribbled up the court, passed it out to teammate Tyler Dorsey, who then sent it back to the Bucks star, who finished the sequence with a two-handed dunk.

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