Milwaukee Bucks re-sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo as Giannis Antetokounmpo locks in for 13th season

The Milwaukee Bucks finally got their 15th player. They agreed to re-sign veteran forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo as they continue to strengthen their roster going into the 2025–26 season. Antetokounmpo will be returning with the team on a one-year, fully guaranteed contract of $2.9 million.

He will continue playing with his brother, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team confirmed Sunday.

Thanasis and Giannis Antetokounmpo set for another season in Milwaukee

Previously, Thanasis Antetokounmpo injured his Achilles tendon during a workout, causing him to miss the 2024-25 season. While he informed the Journal Sentinel that he was medically cleared to play again in December, he has been playing for the Greek national team for the first time since the injury in August.

Now, Thanasis Antetokounmpo has accepted a fully guaranteed one-season, $2.9 million veteran's minimum contract to return to Milwaukee, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The ESPN insider took to X and wrote: “Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo played for the Bucks from 2019-24. This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season…” According to him, Thanasis’ brother Giannis will remain in Milwaukee, at least for this season, as a result of his brother’s choice.

The two-time league MVP was reportedly open to other options after the team lost nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard to an Achilles tendon tear.

Milwaukee Bucks balance roster moves with Thanasis Antetokounmpo signing

Big brother to nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis, Antetokounmpo played with the Bucks from 2019 to 24 but missed the entire previous season due to an injury. Now, as the only members of that team still playing for the present club, he also rejoins his younger brother Giannis and Bobby Portis Jr.

from the 2021 NBA championship team.The player also announced his return with an X status that read, "I'm back.” He further uploaded a photo of himself wearing his 2021 championship gear next to Finals MVP Giannis, with then-starting center Brook Lopez visible behind them.

The New York Knicks initially selected Thanasis Antetokounmpo with the 51st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Throughout his career, he has averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest.

Since the Bucks currently have a maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts on the books, they will need to make a comparable roster move to free up a guaranteed spot for Antetokounmpo.Now 33 and recovering from a major surgery, Thanasis Antetokounmpo has little potential as a rotation player. However, his strong bond with his brother has influenced Milwaukee in this case, and it seems that Giannis Antetokounmpo was motivated to commit to this new team for a 13th season.Also read: Giannis Antetokounmpo still weighing future with Milwaukee Bucks amid roster questions and trade moves