Giannis Antetokounmpo took an unexpected step Thursday to address ongoing speculation about his future with the Milwaukee Bucks, sharing a message on his Instagram Story shortly after reports surfaced that he would not be traded before the NBA deadline.
The twotime NBA Most Valuable Player posted a photo of himself in a Bucks uniform accompanied by a “proceed with caution” sign, seemingly reinforcing the news that Milwaukee would keep him through the deadline.
This development comes amid a season marked by uncertainty for both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
Milwaukee has underperformed in the 2025/26 campaign and currently sits outside of playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo has also battled injuries this year, including a calf issue that has kept him off the court.
With no set timetable for his return, questions continue about not only his immediate contribution but also the longterm direction of the franchise.
Even before Thursday’s social media message, there had been widespread debate about whether the Bucks would consider trading their franchise cornerstone.
On ESPN’s “First Take,” analyst Brian Windhorst suggested that if Antetokounmpo stayed past the deadline, the team might shut him down for the remainder of the season to improve its draft odds.
Recent reports detail Antetokounmpo‘s public stance on trade requests from earlier this season.
He has repeatedly emphasized that he would not ask for a trade and has pledged loyalty to Milwaukee, saying, “There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment that I will come out and say, ‘I want a trade.'”
What this means for Giannis and the Bucks
Despite his commitment, Antetokounmpo‘s longterm future remains a talking point among fans and analysts.
He has expressed a desire to compete for championships and has been candid about wanting to win in Milwaukee.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and others have been linked to him in various trade rumors this season, yet nothing materialized before this year’s deadline.
For now, Antetokounmpo stays put, at least through the immediate future. How the Bucks build around him and whether their paths align in the long term will continue to be one of the NBA’s most intriguing storylines.
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