Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants to Retire with Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks star opens up on his deep connection to the city and his desire to win a championship in Milwaukee.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:39pm

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In an emotional interview, Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed his strong desire to spend his entire NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and win a championship for the city. Antetokounmpo, who has played for the Bucks since 2013, detailed his deep personal and professional ties to Milwaukee, including getting married, having children, and having his father buried there. He emphasized his commitment to the team and city, saying he "bleeds green" and that the Bucks "let me be myself" in a way no other place has. However, Antetokounmpo acknowledged the team's recent struggles and uncertainty about the franchise's long-term plans, stating he is unsure if ownership shares his goal of winning a title in Milwaukee.

Why it matters

Antetokounmpo's comments provide a rare glimpse into the superstar's personal connection to Milwaukee and his strong desire to remain with the Bucks for the rest of his career. As one of the NBA's elite players, Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise is a major storyline, and his loyalty to the city could have significant implications for the team's direction and ability to build a championship contender around him.

The details

Antetokounmpo, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury, expressed frustration with the Bucks' recent struggles, as the team sits outside the playoff picture at 18-28. He acknowledged the team may need to make urgent moves to improve the roster and give him a better chance to win a title in the next few years before his prime starts to decline. However, Antetokounmpo insisted he has always listened to and trusted the Bucks' ownership and management, and he remains committed to the franchise if they can put together a contending team.

  • Antetokounmpo suffered a calf strain on January 23, 2026.
  • The Bucks played the Chicago Bulls on February 3, 2026, the day of the interview.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A 31-year-old superstar forward who has played for the Milwaukee Bucks since 2013, winning an NBA championship and MVP award with the team.

Wes Edens

One of the owners of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jimmy Haslam

One of the owners of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Dee Haslam

One of the owners of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jon Horst

The general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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What they’re saying

“What I want deep down in my heart is I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career and win here.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

“I play because I bleed green. I play because I know what I've built here. For me, it's a huge puzzle. It's a huge Lego piece that I've built and I don't like people taking out pieces from it. I want to keep on building as much as I can.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

“This city has let me be myself, let me be father, have let me a husband, have let me be my own, true, self.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

What’s next

The Bucks will need to evaluate their long-term plans and communicate more clearly with Antetokounmpo about their vision for building a championship contender around him. Antetokounmpo's future with the team could hinge on the franchise's ability to quickly turn things around and give him a realistic path to winning a title in Milwaukee.

The takeaway

Giannis Antetokounmpo's deep personal and professional ties to Milwaukee, combined with his stated desire to retire with the Bucks, highlight the unique relationship between the superstar and the city. However, the team's recent struggles have created uncertainty about the franchise's direction, putting pressure on the Bucks' ownership and management to get on the same page with their franchise player and build a contender that can fulfill Antetokounmpo's championship aspirations in Milwaukee.