Giannis Antetokounmpo Shuts Down Bucks Trade Talk, Stays 'Locked In' Amid Milwaukee's Slide

Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 09:48 IST

Giannis Antetokounmpo denies trade talks with Milwaukee Bucks, focusing on recovery from injury and helping his struggling team, despite rumors and recent poor performance.

Milwaukee Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (X)

Giannis Antetokounmpo has shut down talk of trade discussions, insisting he has not spoken to the Milwaukee Bucks about his future and remains focused on getting healthy and helping his team.

Speaking on Thursday while recovering from a right calf strain, the two-time NBA MVP dismissed reports that he and the franchise were weighing up a potential split ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.

“If my agent is talking to the Bucks, he’s his own person,"

Antetokounmpo said. “I personally have not had that conversation. I’m locked in on my teammates and on getting back healthy."

An ESPN report earlier this month claimed Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis were in talks with Milwaukee about his long-term future. The speculation comes amid a difficult stretch for the Bucks, who have failed to reach the Eastern Conference finals since winning the 2021 title and are currently stumbling through the season.

Milwaukee sit at 11-17, 11th in the East, having lost 12 of their last 15 games. Antetokounmpo has missed five straight games with injury, with the Bucks going 1-4 in his absence. Coach Doc Rivers said the star forward could still be around four weeks away from returning.

Despite the noise, Antetokounmpo said the rumours haven’t disrupted the locker room.

“It doesn’t affect my work or my relationships," he said. “Right now, we can’t worry about headlines. We’re fighting for our lives. We’ve got to win games."

For now, Giannis’ message is clear: no talks, no distractions — just recovery and results.

(with agency inputs)

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