Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants to Retire With Bucks Despite Trade Rumors

The Bucks superstar says Milwaukee is where he's grown up and achieved his biggest milestones.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:23pm

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks' superstar, has stated that his preference is to retire with the Bucks, the team that drafted him in 2013. Despite swirling trade rumors ahead of the NBA's February 5th deadline, Antetokounmpo says Milwaukee is where he's grown up, gotten married, had his kids, and where his father is buried, making it the place he wants to finish his career.

Why it matters

Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA's biggest stars, and his potential departure from the Bucks would be a major shakeup for the league. The Bucks have built their team around Antetokounmpo, and his desire to stay in Milwaukee long-term provides stability and hope for the franchise and its fans.

The details

Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he's had "zero" input in the trade discussions surrounding him, and believes the Bucks can still put together a competitive roster with him. He said his "deep down" desire is to "be a Milwaukee Buck until I retire and win a championship here." However, Antetokounmpo acknowledged that if the Bucks are looking to move in a different direction, he would have to weigh his other options.

  • Antetokounmpo was drafted by the Bucks in 2013 at the age of 18.
  • Trade rumors have heated up around Antetokounmpo since this past summer.
  • The NBA trade deadline is on February 5, 2026.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks' superstar player who was drafted by the team in 2013 and has spent his entire NBA career with them so far.

Milwaukee Bucks

The NBA team that drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013 and has built its roster around the superstar player.

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What they’re saying

“I've created more memories in this city than in my country. The only memory I knew from my country is sell stuff in the street, go to practice, live in fear, protect my brothers as much as I can and be a good kid, be a kind kid.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

“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. End of sentence.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

What’s next

The Bucks will have to decide whether to trade Antetokounmpo before the February 5th deadline or keep him and try to build a championship-contending roster around him.

The takeaway

Giannis Antetokounmpo's strong desire to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of his career provides hope for the franchise and its fans, even as trade rumors swirl. His commitment to the city and team he's grown with could be a key factor in the Bucks' decision-making as the trade deadline approaches.