Giannis Reportedly Tells Bucks He's Ready to Leave

Superstar forward may request trade before deadline or after season

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:47am

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has reportedly informed the team that he is ready to leave the organization, either before the trade deadline or after the season. The Bucks are said to be open to trading Giannis, but are seeking a high-level young talent or a strong package of draft picks in return.

Why it matters

Giannis is the face of the Bucks franchise and has led them to great success, including an NBA championship in 2021. His potential departure would be a major blow to the team and the city of Milwaukee, and would set off a scramble to try to trade him for maximum value before he potentially leaves in free agency.

The details

According to reports, Giannis has been conveying his desire to leave the Bucks for months. He is eligible to sign a 4-year, $275 million supermax contract extension on October 1, but may instead request a trade. The Bucks have been patient in negotiations, but are now said to be the most open they've ever been to trading their superstar. Milwaukee is looking for either a top young player or a significant package of future draft picks in any potential Giannis trade.

  • Giannis is expected to miss the next few weeks due to a right calf strain.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar forward of the Milwaukee Bucks, who led the team to an NBA championship in 2021.

Jon Horst

The general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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What they’re saying

“Giannis' desire to leave is not a sudden decision, it's something he's been communicating to the Bucks for months.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Bucks will have to decide whether to trade Giannis before the trade deadline or wait until the offseason, when they may be able to get an even stronger package of assets in return.

The takeaway

The potential loss of Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a devastating blow to the Milwaukee Bucks, who have built their franchise around the superstar. This saga highlights the challenges small-market teams face in retaining elite players, and will be closely watched as the trade deadline approaches.