On Monday, Dwight Howard tweeted a message to Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding his future with the Milwaukee Bucks as trade rumors swirl. “Don’t leave Giannis coming from someone who’s been there,” the Hall of Famer warned.
After eight seasons with the Orlando Magic, a period that ended with six straight playoff berths, Howard was traded to the Lakers. Although he never brought a championship to Orlando, like Giannis has for the Bucks, he knows what it’s like to leave the city that drafted him.
Tuesday on “Inside the NBA,” Howard elaborated on his advice.
Dwight Howard Preaches Caution
Since ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Giannis is taking an “open-minded” approach to his future, speculation that he could leave Milwaukee has reached a fever pitch. Howard wants Antetokounmpo to make sure he handles the situation wisely.
What I wanted to really tell him to do at this moment, is to just stay silent, stay still and stay vigilant. I think a lot of times when you speak too early in a situation, it puts a lot of pressure on yourself and all your friends and family and stuff like that. So I think you should just stay silent. This is a big decision for him coming up, what he’s going to do next in his career.
Unlike a lot of stars these days, Giannis is not the kind of player to turn the situation into an ugly, extended saga. Not only is he important to the people of Milwaukee, Giannis himself has strong ties to the city and its fanbase. After 12 years with the franchise, even if he does ultimately ask out, it seems unlikely he would drag the Bucks through the mud to get his way.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks Have Been Through a Lot Together
Taking Milwaukee from 15 wins in 2014 to a Finals victory in 2021, the Greek Freak has transformed the present era of Bucks basketball. Despite their recent postseason shortcomings, they have secured nine straight playoff berths. A two-time MVP, Giannis only gets better each year. At age 30, he already leads the franchise in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, triple-doubles and games played. He is nothing less than Mr. Milwaukee Buck.
Howard doesn’t want to see the organization and its all-time great end on bad terms.
“He’s been in Milwaukee forever. So, you know, just leaving is going to leave a sour taste in all the fans’ mouth. And I totally understand from the situation in Orlando, what that would feel like. So just stay put for a little bit, Giannis.”
While his experience is not to be dismissed, Howard might be speaking from a different set of circumstances. Because of the unique relationship between Giannis and the city, fans in Milwaukee are less likely to turn on him than, say, a mob of jersey-torching Cavaliers fans. In fact, many have expressed support for Giannis choosing to go elsewhere to pursue a second ring.
Disheartening as it is, the Bucks simply don’t have a lot of talent around him right now, with limited options for improving the roster. With co-star Damian Lillard sidelined to begin next year, 2025-26 may be something of a lost season. Regardless of Antetokounmpo’s eventual decision, many if not a majority of Bucks fans will root for Giannis wherever he goes.
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