Giannis Antetokounmpo: "I want to be on a team that gives me the opportunity to win"

Giannis Antetokounmpo reiterated his desire to win a second ring and confirmed that during the summer he considered whether his best long-term fit was with the Milwaukee Bucks or elsewhere. "The same thing I have said my whole career: I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me the opportunity to win a championship. I think it's a disrespect to basketball, to the game, not to want to compete at the highest level, to settle for your season ending in April," declared the Greek, who will miss the start of training camp after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Bucks have fallen in the first round in three consecutive seasons, meaning that Antetokounmpo, 30, has not played a game beyond that stage since 2022. "It's not the first time I've thought about it. I had the same thoughts last year, two years ago, five years ago. It will never change. I want to be among the best, compete against the best, and win another championship."

Despite the doubts, Giannis expressed optimism about the team's state, highlighting the arrival of Myles Turner and the opportunity to play with younger, more athletic teammates. "I focus on what I have in front of me. I think it's a great team. It's an underestimated team, and many people may not take us seriously, but I believe we are a very, very dangerous team."

Last month he led Greece to a bronze medal in EuroBasket 2025, alongside his two brothers, an experience he described as "the greatest basketball achievement" of his life. In the third-place game, he scored 30 points with a 9-for-11 shooting, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. While the rest of the Bucks returned to Milwaukee for the start of camp, he stayed in Greece. "We don't think it's safe for him to be with the team at this time," explained general manager Jon Horst. "Once it is, he'll return to us."

Although the player acknowledged exploring his options in the summer, the management conveyed confidence in his commitment. "This team is built to maximize Giannis, but Giannis can also maximize the team," noted Horst. "It's a group hungry to earn what they achieve, and our style of play will be based on that, on being together and having the best player in the world, surrounded by pieces that fit very well with him."

The Bucks' Idea with Anteto

Bucks owner Wes Edens emphasized that idea, recalling a conversation with the player in June. "He made it clear he was very committed to Milwaukee. He likes being here, he wants his family to be here. He thinks the team, despite the recent playoff misfortunes, has many positives."

Antetokounmpo, however, claimed not to recall that conversation. "I trust my teammates. That's basically it. I trust the people around me, my teammates, the moves they make. Hopefully, we can be on the same page and understand what's at stake. We've been falling in the first round for three years, so there's not much to say. We just need to buckle down, stay focused all year, win games, get into the playoffs, and not get knocked out in the first round. That's it. And from there, we'll see."