Giannis Antetokounmpo has played for the Bucks his entire career and the city of Milwaukee has come to recognize him as one of its own. But the two-time MVP was clear in a recent interview that his loyalty to the franchise only goes as far as its commitment to winning, hinting that it’s absolutely possible that he leaves the team down the road.
“As long as we play and we approach the game every single day the right way and we all sacrifice for the common goal, I can see myself being a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” he said on the 48 minutes podcast. “But the moment I feel people are not as committed as I am to get that golden thing [NBA title] in the back, I am not.
"I'm a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I'm a winner. ... If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien I have to take that better situation."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 13, 2023
Giannis on his future with the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/XzucRXtmOv
“I’m a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I’m a winner,” Antetokounmpo continued. “I want to win. 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 [Trophy], I have to take that better situation.”
This isn’t the first time this offseason Antetokounmpo has hinted at the possibility of leaving Milwaukee. In August, he first made his intentions clear that winning is everything and as long as the Bucks show their commitment to that, he’ll stay put. All things considered, it’s clear Antetokounmpo’s loyalty is conditional and the franchise shouldn’t feel content with just one NBA title during his tenure there.
