Giannis Antetokounmpo did not move at the NBA trade deadline, and with that, weeks of speculation finally eased.
In the days and weeks leading up to the deadline, Antetokounmpo‘s future became one of the league’s dominant talking points.
Rival front offices were widely reported to be watching Milwaukee closely, with his name repeatedly linked to the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. The interest reflected uncertainty around the Bucks more than any doubt about the player himself.
Milwaukee ultimately chose not to explore a franchise-altering deal. The decision signals that Antetokounmpo will complete his 13th NBA season with the Milwaukee Bucks, the only organisation he has known at the professional level.
His time in Milwaukee has already delivered an NBA title in 2021, two Most Valuable Player awards and nine All-NBA selections, a résumé that places him firmly among the era’s defining figures.
Milwaukee’s struggles this season have raised broader questions about its competitive ceiling, and with the team likely to miss the playoffs, the spotlight on Antetokounmpo‘s long-term future has only softened, not disappeared.
A business announcement beyond the trade noise
Not long after the deadline passed, Antetokounmpo shifted attention away from basketball altogether. In a post on his official X account, he announced that he has joined Kalshi as a shareholder.
“Everyone is online. The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder. We all on Kalshi now,” Antetokounmpo wrote.
Kalshi is a US regulated prediction market platform that allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, including sports, politics and economic trends.
Founded in 2021, the company has grown quickly alongside rising interest in event-based markets, carving out a niche at the intersection of finance and public forecasting.
For Antetokounmpo, the move fits a familiar pattern. Over the years, he has steadily expanded his off-court footprint through endorsement deals, most notably with Nike, and a range of business partnerships. His investments suggest a long-term mindset, one that looks beyond the immediate demands of the NBA calendar.
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