For years, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared destined to join a rare group of loyal NBA icons like Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller, John Stockton, and Udonis Haslem, stars who spent their entire careers tied to one franchise. His bond with the Bucks felt just as strong, especially during seasons when the team consistently competed at the top of the league and built everything around him.
Still, the sharp drop from Milwaukee’s days as an Eastern Conference power has clearly taken a toll. Since the 2021 title run, the Bucks have suffered three straight first round exits and cycled through major roster changes, and that slide has shown on the floor. As a result, Antetokounmpo has looked increasingly frustrated as the losses mount and the team struggles to regain its footing.
Rajon Rondo (Bucks associate coach) on why Giannis may be frustrated right now with the team 👀
“To me we just haven’t bought into everybody staring in their role consistently enough. I think that’s the frustration part. Obviously big fella missed a lot of games and it’s a big… pic.twitter.com/8AiZE9Z860
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 17, 2026
Rondo recently said Antetokounmpo’s frustration keeps climbing, explaining that players of his stature do not want to stay with teams stuck in the middle. Since joining Milwaukee’s coaching staff in 2024, Rondo has seen the organization up close, which gives his comments added credibility. Based on those experiences, he pointed to several internal factors that have fueled the growing unease surrounding the Bucks’ franchise cornerstone.
Rajon Rondo on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ challenges
“To me, we just have not bought into everybody starting in their role consistently enough. I think that’s the frustrating part. Obviously, big fella missed a lot of games, and you know, it’s a big thing now how we’re trynna be good without Giannis on the court,” Rondo remarked during his appearance with Kevin Garnett at KG Certified.
The Bucks began the 2025-26 season with a 4-1 record that briefly fueled optimism inside and outside the locker room. From the start, the expectation centered on the supporting cast stepping up on a nightly basis to offset the absence of another All NBA caliber teammate next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. That belief faded quickly, as inconsistent performances and familiar flaws resurfaced and slowed any early momentum.
From mid November through mid December, Milwaukee dropped 13 of its next 16 games, sliding out of the Play In picture and revealing just how fragile the roster can be. That stretch made one issue impossible to ignore. When Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves the floor, opponents consistently find ways to exploit the Bucks, turning small weaknesses into decisive advantages.
Are the Bucks going to make a move on the trade deadline?
“It’s magnified now because of the trade deadline and rumors here and there. It’s all magnified; even though it’s a small market, it’s still Giannis’ team. We’re going through it, but it’s the NBA grind. Every season, you can’t win a championship. Again, we do have some great pieces,” Rondo continued.
If Milwaukee still believes it can squeeze one final run out of the Giannis era, the front office has to act with urgency. That means pursuing a move that is both aggressive and impactful enough to shift the direction of the season right away. Standing pat only increases the risk. If the current trend continues, the window to keep Giannis in Milwaukee could close faster than anyone expects.
