There are three things that a certain in this world: death, taxes, and ESPN trying to force narratives that Giannis Antetokounmpo will leave the Milwaukee Bucks. It is an annual tradition that started nearly a decade ago when the Greek Freak was named the NBA Most Improved Player. It gained steam as he won back-to-back NBA MVP Awards along with a Defensive Player of the Year Award. Even winning a title with Milwaukee did not kill the narrative that Giannis would, some day, force a trade away from the Bucks.
And yet, time and time again, Giannis has remained loyal and committed to Milwaukee, the franchise he credits with changing his life, and the lives of his family.
Despite the fact that the 2025-26 NBA season is just the first year of the three-year contract extension Giannis recently inked, ESPN, and Shams Charania especially, have been trying to spread the rumor that the two-time NBA MVP will ask for a trade.
The Milwaukee Bucks Clapped Back at ESPN, Shams Charania Over Latest “Report”
On Monday morning’s episode of “Get Up” on ESPN, Charania stated, “Sources tell me there’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving.”
Shams: Giannis Antetokounmpo continuing to evaluate his future.
“Nothing set in stone” regarding Giannis remaining with or leaving the Bucks.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) August 4, 2025
This is, of course, ridiculous reporting. Not only did Giannis help recruit free agents, most notably Myles Turner, to the team during the offseason, he is also currently in Greece practicing with the Greek National Team.
Additionally, no one in Giannis’ inner circle, which is comprised of his family, talk to the media about such things.
And as for the Bucks, well, they made their thoughts on Charania’s “report” quite clear:
🥱
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 4, 2025
During an interview during an NBA Summer League game, Bucks co-owner and team president Peter Feigin was asked about all the speculation regarding Giannis and his possible departure.
“We kind of laugh internally. That’s where we’ve been for 10 years. Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place. It’s business as usual.”
“I think for us we get a giggle out everybody else thinking they know”
“Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis”
Bucks President Peter Feigin pic.twitter.com/PBN5rtXnjM
— BucksShowYo🦌 (@BucksShowYo) July 16, 2025
Feigin also says that they all find it very humorous that reporters think they have an idea of what is going on inside their building.
The fact of the matter, too, is that it is August. The NBA Draft has happened, the NBA Summer League is over, all the high-profile free agents are off the market, and contract extensions are starting to be signed around the league. If Giannis were going to ask for a trade, he would have done so months ago. Doing so now would make no sense for him, the Bucks, or whatever team he would end up on.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Bucks Get Disrespected in ESPN’s Preseason NBA Rankings
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