The Milwaukee Bucks, at 11-15, are currently one of the most talked about teams in the NBA. However, the reasons for their national attention are not positive. Throughout this offseason, and throughout their rough start to the 2025-26 NBA season, there have been many reports and rumors regarding two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future in Milwaukee.
As fans are aware, there have been multiple ESPN reports that the nine-time All-Star is not really happy with the Bucks and is considering a trade request. There were even reports/rumors that Giannis set up a call between the Bucks and New York Knicks to try and facilitate a trade over the summer.
Of course, a trade never took place. And according to one NBA insider, Giannis going elsewhere is not as imminent a move as many have been led to believe.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has not asked for a trade
Giannis, of course, is not currently able to play for the Bucks due to a calf strain that will keep him out for a few more weeks. Fortunately, Milwaukee was able to win their last game without him, coming back to defeat the Boston Celtics. Notably, Giannis was on the bench for that entire game passionately cheering on his teammates.
And as for the trade chatter? NBA insider Marc Stein says the situation is not as dire for Bucks fans as other reporters have led them to believe:
“Teams are calling the Bucks, & the Bucks at this point keep telling teams ‘He’s not available. We’re not trading him.’ The only way there’s really going to be a Giannis sweepstakes—Giannis himself has to go to the Bucks & say ‘I want out’, & that hasn’t happened.” @TheSteinLine https://t.co/yaNRg0X3Zx pic.twitter.com/q1C802tn0q
— Dru (@dru_star) December 13, 2025
“Teams are calling the Bucks, and the Bucks at this point keep telling teams ‘He’s not available. We’re not trading him.’ The only way there’s really going to be a Giannis sweepstakes—Giannis himself has to go to the Bucks and say ‘I want out’, and that hasn’t happened.”
Stein admits that Giannis and the Bucks have danced around the topic of a possible trade, but said that the only way that Milwaukee will ever trade their superstar is if he explicitly asks for one.
Asking for a trade, though, would tarnish the reputation for loyalty that Giannis has built throughout the years. He may not want that part of how he is viewed to change. At least not yet.
In any case, Giannis has not requested a trade, and the Bucks certainly have no plans on trading him unless he asks for one.
Which he has not done.
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