Giannis Says He Hopes to Return to NBA Finals with Bucks amid Trade Rumors

Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly said he wants to return to the Milwaukee Bucks next season amid rumors he may consider seeking a trade in order to compete for a second championship.

“The Finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks," Antetokounmpo told the Brazilian outlet Coast to Coast, according to a translation by Eurohoops.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported in May that Antetokounmpo had not "not made any firm decisions on his Bucks future," but that he was "open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere" for the first time in his career.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were eliminated from the 2025 postseason by the Indiana Pacers in a five-game loss that marked the team's third straight first-round playoff exit.

Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the series, calling into question his availability for the entirety of next season.

The Bucks also can't trade a first-round pick until 2031, per ESPN's Bobby Marks, limiting the franchise's ability to retool into a contender around Antetokounmpo.

But ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Tuesday on Get Up that there is no trade market for Antetokounmpo.

"He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him," Windhorst said.

Antetokounmpo's projected return would mean the Bucks will need to turn their focus to finding a point guard who can help direct the offense while Lillard recovers from his injury.

The Bucks have already committed $54 million of the 2025-26 cap to Lillard. However, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. are all potentially hitting free agency this summer.

Depending on how many players leave, the Bucks could potentially have either the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.7 million or the nontaxpayer mid-level exception of $14.1 million available to add new free agents, per The Athletic's Danny Leroux.

The Bucks may need to find a deal in free agency, as well as snag a hidden gem with the No. 47 pick of the upcoming draft, in order to help convince Antetokounmpo to sign his next contract in Milwaukee.

The star forward is currently signed through 2026-27, with a player option for 2027-28. He will be eligible to sign a four-year, $293.4 million extension next offseason, per Marks.