Giannis Antetokounmpo Turns Heads With NBA Offseason Decision
Giannis Antetokounmpo Turns Heads With NBA Offseason Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Fresh off another turbulent season with the Milwaukee Bucks—ending in a first-round exit—Giannis Antetokounmpo is making headlines again, as the rumors about his future have continued to grow. While no reports have been confirmed, there have been trade talks linking him to different teams in the NBA offseason.
Advertisement
On the trade front, franchises like the Toronto Raptors have been floated as possible suitors for the two-time league MVP, with Doug Smith of the Toronto Star citing mutual interest. Still, it seems Milwaukee hasn't opened that door, and Antetokounmpo himself hasn't asked out—suggesting that for now, he plans to remain with the Bucks next season.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Amid this swirling speculation, Antetokounmpo appears focused on his international duties with the Greece National Team. According to Gazzetta (h/t BasketNews), there's no debate on the matter—Antetokounmpo has decided to lead Greece in Europe.
Antetokounmpo has been a pillar of Greece's national team since 2014. He starred at the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus, earning praises from basketball fans as he guided Greece to its first Olympic berth since 2008.
Advertisement
Back in February, Antetokounmpo made it clear he planned to play this summer if healthy (via FIBA), but that was the extent of his commitment. It now seems that decision has become more official.
Fans have been reacting to this news in the comments.
"Let's goooooo 🔥🔥🔥, said one.
"Don't get injured,the Milwaukee Bucks Team will need you for the 2025/2026 season," one said.
"Bro stay carrying bad teams," said another.
"Greece for gold 🥇☝️," one added.
"Perfect!" exclaimed another.
Despite Milwaukee suffering a third straight loss in the first round, Antetokounmpo had another MVP-caliber performance with the Bucks this season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 70 games.
Related: Raptors-Nets RJ Barrett Trade Report Drops on Tuesday
Related: Raptors Send Brandon Ingram Message After Giannis Antetokounmpo News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens looks on before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens, center, arrives for his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens looks on before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens, center, arrives for his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Former NBA basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens smiles before his statue unveiling event outside of Climate Pledge Arena, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Advertisement Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Advertisement Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson. 'He's one of the greatest leaders the NBA has ever seen,' McMillan said. ___ AP NBA:
USA Today
29 minutes ago
- USA Today
Pelicans' Derik Queen delivers a perfect response to draft-night trade criticism
The New Orleans Pelicans were heavily linked to Maryland center Derik Queen ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, and the organization made an aggressive move to trade up and select him with the 13th pick on Wednesday. But not everyone was a fan of the move. Pelicans president Joe Dumars sent the 23rd overall pick (Asa Newell, Georgia) and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the draft rights to Queen. The Hawks will receive the more favorable pick between the Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks. The deal has been widely criticized, with one assistant general manager reportedly telling The Athletic that it was the worst trade outside of the Luka Dončić one in the last decade. Queen, when asked Saturday about the criticism the team has received, delivered quite a response. I don't think nobody in that class is ever going to be better than me. I block all of the noise out. (Joe) got a lot of faith in me. Most of those guys I beat on in high school, so it doesn't really matter. I know that the NBA is a whole different level, so I just got to continue to get better. Don't get too big-headed, don't get too low and just beat on them next year when they come in and make Joe look like a genius. Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, averaging 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36 games on 52.6% shooting from the field. He helped lead the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016. The 6-foot-10 standout was viewed as one of the most skilled big men in the draft thanks to his offensive versatility, competitiveness and ability to impact games on defense, with his 7-foot wingspan. He ranked sixth in scoring average among Power Four freshmen. After a dazzling year, the Pelicans saw enough in Queen to jump 10 positions in the draft to take him. Dumars & Co. believe they made the right move and aren't concerned with any noise from the outside. "I've been doing this for way too long to give credence to naysayers," Dumars said. "I will say this, though: We're going to trot our own path here. We're not going to go by anyone else's playbook. These are the guys that we really, really wanted as Pelicans and we're super, super happy to have them here."
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Novak Djokovic admits 2025 Wimbledon could be his best chance to win unprecedented 25th Grand Slam
Novaj Djokovic wants that 25th Grand Slam. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are making it hard for him. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) There is no disputing that Novak Djokovic is approaching the end of his career, but it remains to be seen if one more Grand Slam is in the cards. With his first match of 2025 Wimbledon scheduled next week, Djokovic spoke to reporters on Saturday and candidly admitted that of all the Grand Slams left in his career, this might be his best chance to capture his increasingly elusive 25th title. Advertisement From the Associated Press: "I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance, because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon," said Djokovic, who faces Alexandre Muller in the first round Tuesday. "Just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level." Djokovic hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. At six tournaments, it's his longest drought since going two years without a win while dealing with an elbow injury that required surgery in 2017 and 2018. Djokovic has reached only one Grand Slam final since the beginning of 2024, losing last year's Wimbledon championship match against Carlos Alcaraz. To be sure, Djokovic has won some success in that span, most notably the men's singles gold medal in the Paris Olympics, but the 22-year-old Alcaraz and 23-year-old Jannik Sinner have won ever Grand Slam in that span and now represent a significant roadblock for the 38-year-old Serbian. It won't get easier as the years pass. The younger pair are co-favorites for the 2025 title at the All England Club, with BetMGM having Alcaraz leading the pack at +115 odds and Sinner behind him at +190. Djokovic is third, but a distance away at +650. Advertisement Wimbledon has been a friendly event for Djokovic over the years, with his seven titles putting him only one behind Roger Federer's eight for the most all-time. As for when he'll actually retire, Djokovic hasn't been entirely clear. He hinted that he might have already played his final French Open match after losing to Sinner in the semifinals at Roland Garros earlier this month, but has since announced he plans to defend his Olympic title at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He was similarly hazy on Saturday, via the AP: 'Whether it could be my 'last dance,'' the 24-time major champion began, repeating the phrase used by the reporter who posed the question, 'I'm not sure — as I'm not sure about Roland Garros or any other Slam that I play next.' 'My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level,' he said. 'That's the goal. But you never know at this stage.' Federer retired at 41 years old. Rafael Nadal retired at 38 years old. Djokovic is already as old as the latter legend was, and would need to last until he's as old as the former to make it 2028. There's little argument he hasn't slowed down compared to his prime, with only two ATP-sanctioned titles, including the Olympics, since the end of 2023, but the choice to continue will ultimately be up to him.
