Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo reiterated his desire to win a second NBA title on Monday and confirmed reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania that he was “open” in the summer to explore whether his “best long-term fit” was in Milwaukee or elsewhere.
“I’ve been talking about my entire career and I want to be a team that allows me and give me a chance to win the championship,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think just hope it competes at a high level and hope your season ends in April.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks at another champion
In 2021, the Bucks won their second NBA title and for the first time since 1971.
However, Milwaukee is now out of the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. This means that 30-year-old Antetokounmpo has not competed outside of his first round since 2022.
“This is not the first time. I had the same idea last year,” Antetokounmpo said. “I had the same idea two years ago. I had the same idea five years ago. It never changes. I want to be the best person. I want to compete with the best, I want to win another title.”
Antetokounmpo reportedly missed the media day and was at the beginning of boot camp after a positive test for Covid-19.
Antetokounmpo expressed some rare enthusiasm during a video call in Greece this summer when talking about the Bucks’ situation.
Giannis Antetokounmpo joins #bucks Media Day from Greece, he is recovering from Kuved.
“Personally, I feel good. My confidence is currently at an all-time high.”
“We have a young team. A team that will work very hard and that will play very quickly.” pic.twitter.com/9zozrsffvm
– Karl Winter (@karlwintertv) September 29, 2025
“I handle everything in front of me,” he said. “I think it’s a great team. It’s a sleeper that a lot of people may not take it seriously, but I think we’re a very, very dangerous team.”
Even though Antetokounmpo is willing to leave the NBA franchise to win a second ring, Bucks Governor Wes Edens remains confident in Antetokounmpo’s ability to lead the team.
“He made it clear that he was very committed to Milwaukee,” Eden said Monday. “He likes here, he likes his family here. He thinks the team is — obviously, we’ve had some bad fortune in the playoffs over the past few years — but there’s a lot of positive things.”
Bucks join Myles Turner, Cole Anthony
This offseason, the Bucks signed veteran big man Myles Turner in hopes of addressing their indoor defense and adding some floor spacing, as well as adding former Orlando Magic defender Cole Anthony.
Milwaukee also re-signed two-time NBA MVP brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo. The 33-year-old missed the entire 2024-25 season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played all 12 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season.
Earlier this month, Antetokounmpo led the Greek team to a bronze medal at the Fiba Eurobasket 2025 Championship, joining his two brothers in his life’s “greatest basketball achievement”.
