NBA Rumors: 4 Teams Giannis Antetokounmpo is most likely to leave Bucks for

NBA Rumors: There is speculation that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could leave as a free agent in 2025. The “Greek Freak” wants to win wherever he decides to play.

Don’t worry Milwaukee Bucks fans, Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t want to go anywhere. Yet.

In 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo helped clinch Milwaukee’s first major sports championship in 50 years with a historical performance. The “Greek Freak” scored 50 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked five shots in Game 6, leading the Bucks to a 4-2 series win in the 2021 NBA Finals.

The Bucks have not gotten past the Eastern Conference semifinals since. That includes a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in last year’s playoffs. Giannis suffered a back injury in Game 1 and the Bucks were never the same.

Antetokounmpo has been adamant about winning another championship. He may even be willing to leave Milwaukee to do so.

The “Greek Freak” appeared on the “48 Minutes” podcast earlier this week. One of the hosts of the show is former Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Ross Geiger. It was Antetokounmpo’s first appearance on a podcast. The two-time NBA MVP had plenty to say including the following:

"“At the end of the day, I am a winner. I want to be a winner. Contracts, fame, status, comfort zone does not matter to me. What matters the end of the day is that thing right there.”"

Giannis said that pointing to a replica Larry O’Brien trophy behind him. He also went on to say:

"“I can see myself being with the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career. But the moment I feel like people are not as committed as I am to get that golden thing in the back, I am not…” “I’m a Milwaukee Buck. But most importantly, I’m a winner. I want to win. And I have to do whatever it takes for me to win. And if there’s a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien, I have to take that better situation.”"

You can check out the entire interview here – 48 Minutes: Giannis Antetokounmpo Unplugged.

Antetokounmpo is entering his 11th NBA season – all in Milwaukee. The 7-time All-Star is under contract with the Bucks for this season and next. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season but will likely opt out and become a free agent after the 2024-25 season.

More importantly, the “Greek Freak” is now eligible for a contract extension – one that he plans on NOT signing this offseason.

Giannis put pressure on the Bucks to build a contending team the last time he was up for an extension in 2020. The Bucks made some moves which included trading for Jrue Holiday. Antetokounmpo then signed a five-year $228 million extension. He won a ring that following July.

It sounds like Antetokounmpo is once again applying pressure on the Bucks to remain contenders. Milwaukee’s front office has their work cut out for them. Three of their main four core players, including Giannis, will be free agents during the 2025 offseason. Holiday will be 35 years old and has hinted at retiring when his contract expires. Khris Middleton will be 34. Brook Lopez will be 37.

Oh, and the Milwaukee Bucks are an NBA luxury tax repeater this season after re-signing Lopez and Middleton to big-money deals. Oof.

Could Giannis Antetokounmpo really leave the Milwaukee Bucks? Maybe. Here are five teams that may have a shot at acquiring the “Greek Freak” in the summer of 2025, or even earlier.