Giannis Antetokounmpo believes that the upcoming season might lead to significant changes for the Milwaukee Bucks, including the possibility of him being traded if the team fails to secure another championship.
Having guided the Bucks to their first NBA title in half a century back in 2021, Antetokounmpo is acutely aware of the pressures that come with high expectations. He understands that if he cannot lead his team to glory this season, the consequences could be dire.
“Yeah, if we don’t win a championship, I might get traded,” Antetokounmpo shared with The Athletic. “This is the job we live. This is the world we’re living in. It’s everybody. At any given moment, if you don’t succeed, that might be it for us. … If you don’t do a good enough job, you’re out.”
Entering their second season with the star pairing of Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard—who joined the Bucks in October 2023—the team is looking to capitalize on their talent. Last season, Milwaukee finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 49-33 record but faced disappointment when they were ousted by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo recently signed a lucrative three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Bucks, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. This season, he is set to earn $48.7 million, followed by $54.1 million the next year. His commitment reflects his ambition, but the stakes are high as the pressure to win continues to mount.
