Giannis Thread - 13th Season with the Bucks

[Daver]

This was on X its by eric nehm.
Dont know when gisnnis ssid this but it shows 8 hours ago.

I’ve always wanted to be in Milwaukee. I always wanted to represent the city. As long as we have the opportunity to win and I feel like we have an opportunity to win…So I’m here. Milwaukee Bucks, I’m here." - Giannis Antetokounmpo

[Dick Tate]

Panic and angst? It’s just a discussion.
Yes Giannis is free to make another choice. The Bucks are also free to make another choice, possibly before Giannis does.

On with the season. Rah!

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Lol, imagine any of us working for the same organization for ten years and people getting pissed because we leave and want to live in a different city. 1. No one is asking me publicly what my plans are 2. Most people leave their jobs with a 2 weeks notice and the business gets no compensation.

Yeah you got a guaranteed contract worth 10's of million's of dollars at your gig? Apples to Oranges.

I wasn't the one that made the first comparison. I'm the one saying it's different.

In this day and age, I don't get why people think a guy like him should have some unbreakable loyalty to the Bucks* when he is just a human being. He's not from here, his family isn't from here, he didn't ask to come here. He has signed multiple contracts with us and gave us all he had that included a ring. As long as he leaves gracefully, there are no hard feelings

*Again, except for the abstract fans, who is he being loyal to? An owner, GM, coaches, teammates, training facility, stadium, workers, etc have all turned over since he has been here.

if anybody else on our team made comments like that theyd be mocked and thrown off the squad. your point is not made. if any of us were in any positions of leadership or on a team of people with specific long and short term goals and others were counting on us and we spoke this way we'd also get the side eye treatment.

no idea what kind of work youre in but obviously im referring to the types of employees that are actually important to their organizations. most arent and if thats you then thats why you might not be able to relate to my comment

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

He's literally spelling it out for us and being 100% honest. He's committed to the team this season. "In 6-7 months" that could change, i.e. if things really go south with this group, then maybe it's time to part ways. Again, people love to read between the lines on almost every quote and soundbite over the years.....except all the times he told you exactly what he was all about ("I want to be here as long as we can compete for championships") lol. He's never said he'd never leave. He's always said "things can change". To call him a flip-flopper is insane. Not believing his actions and words over the years is a choice.

Yeah, that's what I meant by earlier when I said that Giannis is almost too honest. He's being **** on by some fans here for not slamming the door on ever asking out, even though he's saying what we all pretty much knew.

I don't get the additional angst, frankly. He's up for an extension next fall. We knew that next summer was going to be the tipping point, one way or another. Maybe the team will surprise in a weak conference, and Horst will push the chips in again and pick up a difference maker that keeps Giannis here. Or, maybe we'll have another disappointing season, and Giannis will surprise absolutely no one by declining any extension offer and asking out.

But that's where we we've been since the season ended. So, what's everyone panicking about? Nothing has changed.

b0th you two are flat out wront. he has a gauranteed contract for the next two seasons and a player option after that. he comes out with the 6-7 month comment before this year hes being a straight up dick.

6-7 months what? then what giannis? what about 6-7 months?

talking like that is conduct detrimental to the team. dont try and defend it

[Ron Swanson]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

[Coach Carter]

This is Giannis way of telling Horst that Kuzma sucks.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

Yeah, he's basically saying what we already knew based on the current situation. He is coming back, he is fully committed to leading this team and trying it from a different style. If it works, we are good and he signs the extension. If it doesn't, everyone is going to be looking in the mirror. Honestly, if I'm being obtuse I would be happy about the 6-7 months since if I was him it would be more of a February decision.

It never really made sense for the Bucks to even consider a Giannis trade this off-season. Next season, though, could be a different story. If we flame out in R1 again, I dont see the owners making another big splash (not even sure if they can). At that point I would ask to leave if I was Giannis and I would accommodate him if I was the owners.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

This is Giannis way of telling Horst that Kuzma sucks.

How do we pass that message along to Doc?

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Yeah you got a guaranteed contract worth 10's of million's of dollars at your gig? Apples to Oranges.

I wasn't the one that made the first comparison. I'm the one saying it's different.

In this day and age, I don't get why people think a guy like him should have some unbreakable loyalty to the Bucks* when he is just a human being. He's not from here, his family isn't from here, he didn't ask to come here. He has signed multiple contracts with us and gave us all he had that included a ring. As long as he leaves gracefully, there are no hard feelings

*Again, except for the abstract fans, who is he being loyal to? An owner, GM, coaches, teammates, training facility, stadium, workers, etc have all turned over since he has been here.

if anybody else on our team made comments like that theyd be mocked and thrown off the squad. your point is not made. if any of us were in any positions of leadership or on a team of people with specific long and short term goals and others were counting on us and we spoke this way we'd also get the side eye treatment.

no idea what kind of work youre in but obviously im referring to the types of employees that are actually important to their organizations. most arent and if thats you then thats why you might not be able to relate to my comment

Again you are comparing it to something that doesn't exist in the real world. If you really want to go down that route. Despite his high salary, he is just player. He doesn't have decision-making powers. He is trying to use any leverage he has but at the end of the day it isnt his call. I see it all the time for higher up where if their projects dont get the resources or funding, they make it clear they wont stick around to watch something fail. Hell, even my wife made a comment to her boss and peers last month where she questioned if it is worth sticking for a project that is getting phased out.

Sports are just so f-ing weird and fans have weird loyalty expectations. We trade Jrue Holiday (you know the guy that was just here for 3 years) and there was bunch of sob stories from fans how bad they felt for him but no one mentions the other guy that was starting for us a couple years that got shipped out as a stray from that trade. At the end of the day, these guys are all mercenaries. i don't think any of those guys really follow this all that much. You think Gary Trent is freaking out if we trade Giannis? Maybe a little in that a significant part of his next contract is dependent on a deep playoff run. Basically only Kuz (who will try trading in a second), Turner (who just got here) and Bobby (Who we have tried trading multiple times) are on long-term deals. BASICALLY EVERYONE ON THIS WHOLE ROSTER IS "Well I'm committed to this team this year, but I could look elsewhere in 7 months" Name me one player on the team that expects to be here next year for sure. I just don't buy this has any impact on the guys competing this year.

[Ron Swanson]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

Some of this will just be luck on who is available. Hopefully there are some cap causalities where we could get another AS level player. I just dont know who that would be.

[Licensed to Il]

I used to make a six hour drive from my childhood home to a cabin up north. Eventually your brain memorizes every landmark and turn. You get to the last section, and it triggers emotion that you are almost there and the ride is almost over. That is what this season feels like. We just got to Wausau and there is only 50 minutes of this drive, left.

[DingleJerry]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

Yea how is it any less of a dick move to lie and blow sunshine up everyone's ass right now. Then next offseason say, "sorry, i only have a few elite years left and I don't think we can win titles anymore so I'm gonna ask for a trade to have one last chance before I retire". Basically, him being honest to me isn't being a dick. Some might remember I've been for years here to roll my eyes here at all the stars over the years that say all the BS PR lines even though we all know they're full of it. Most people say they're full of it and make fun of them for lying. Now, when a guy basically tells the truth instead of PR speak, we still bash him. Guys can't win.

[humanrefutation]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

The worst thing they could do is kneecap their ability to make a big move next summer by trading some of their chips for a non-difference-maker this season.

Barring a finals trip, I think, we're going into next offseason with serious questions about Giannis's commitment to Milwaukee going forward. Everyone will have to sit in a room and figure it out. Horst et al will need to have a plan to sell Giannis on making one big push. Giannis will have to decide whether that's enough to stay.

At that point, we'll have a sense of what the future of the conference looks like. Hali and Tatum will be on the way back. A post-Thibs Knicks will have season under their belt and a sense of whether they want to blow it up for Giannis. A Cavs team that disappointed last playoffs will have another run under their belt. Then you've got teams like Philly, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta that could go either way.

Giannis will be paying attention to all of that to gauge our chances, as will we when looking at potential suitors.

It'll be a hell of a ride.

[raferfenix]

seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months.

Yes unless this team is wildly exceeding expectations (or is seriously awful and it's moot) it'll be tough to sit on our hands at the deadline waiting for our picks to accumulate on draft day.

I don't think Giannis is eyeing a particular asset like the 2031 first for a win now trade (whether it actually moves the needle or not) like LeBron does.

But the Bucks also ducked the tax this year. Very smart for the long run!

However, Giannis is obviously entirely opposed to this being any semblance of the "gap year" that had been floated earlier in the offseason, especially if he'd see a trade he thinks would put us over the top that we'd pass on.

[Ron Swanson]

I'll continue to push back on this notion that Giannis even remotely cares about playing GM, and all this stuff coming out only reinforces that idea. The organization is just doing what they think is gonna make Giannis content here, and always has. Sometimes shrewdly/aggressively (Jrue, Dame, Turner acquisitions), and sometimes stubbornly/idiotically (hiring Griffin, sticking with Doc based on some dumb reasoning that he actually helps their chances in getting Giannis to re-sign).

If the organizational brain trust simply made every move through the lens of what makes the team better basketball wise, and less focused on roster/coaching politics and freaking out over whatever perceived whim they think Giannis has, we're in a much better situation to contend for a championship right now.

[fan230]

I love Giannis and would be very sad if he leaves.
But Giannis is being realistic. He knows his athleticism will gradually reduce in the coming years. He is craving to be a long term Bucks if feasible. That is one reason why he and the Buckss too are buying into a point forward role for him a la a bit like Pippen. Because he wants to be a long term Bucks, he is trying to push the Bucks to build a good, young team around him. I wish the Bucks provide him all the support possible by building a good team around him. The Bucks are trying.


We are not going to get a player as good as Giannis in maybe 50 years. Let’s enjoy his years, hopefully multiple years, in Milwaukee. The greatest Bucks player ever. I look forward to seeing his statue a la Jordan, and tell youngsters of the future, I saw Giannis play for the Bucks and his incredible innate talent.

[pifhluk23]

No one else finds it concerning that Giannis Wife, kids & Mom will be in Athens while he's here playing basketball? Not from a he's going to demand to be traded standpoint but just being away from your family 8+ months. Something smells off about this or the fam just really hates Milwaukee.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

However, Giannis is obviously entirely opposed to this being any semblance of the "gap year" that had been floated earlier in the offseason, especially if he'd see a trade he thinks would put us over the top that we'd pass on.

It would be kind of insane for him to accept a gap year. I think he will have an earlier peak based on his style of play and injury history. i don't think it is crazy to say he only has 2 more years realistically as a Top 5 player, especially with some of the younger talent (Wemby-21, Jokic-I think he maintains his level of play better, Luka-26, SGA-26 are solid bets being better than Giannis in 2 years. Add in Tatum - 26, AntMan-23, Mitchell-28, Cade-24, Paolo-22).

He could rightly see this being his last 2 years as an Alpha dog. After that, he probably will need a lot of help like the 32-34 aged Miami Shaq with Wade. At this point, the only thing keeping Giannis from being considered a top 15 player is rings. If he gets 1-2 more, he passes clearly all the one-time wonders (KG, Dirk, KD (counting as 1), Oscar, West, Dr. J, Moses). Just depends on what is more important to Giannis: Being a local legend like Dirk or climbing up the ladder and getting rings like Shaq.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

saying **** like this out loud while the lockerroom is coming together is bull. defending it is whats obtuse. obviously KPJ, AJ and GTJ are probably thinking the exact same things with their contract situations..... but if they all came out and said that **** you wouldnt have a problem? our lockerroom would be a joke if everybody was saying that **** out loud to the media. its impossible youre even trying to defend it!

what if horst came out and said for now were committed to Giannis or any other player but we may change our mninds with how they play. like literally said that out loud in an interview. told the media that were gonna keep an eye on kuzma and maybe trade him if he doesnt play good.

the premise your defending is garbage for anybody but giannis why does he get a pass? he can talk this way but it would be conduct detrimental to the team if anybody else did? or as im suggesting shouldnt he should be the one setting the entire tone with something completely different lighting a fire up everybodys ass that this is it right here right now lets go back to back to back?

bottom line the most beloved franschise superstar needs to be like milwaukee ride or die....period. not im here, im locked in for now with this group but maybe in 6-7 months ill change my mind..... maybe what then? go be the next kareem?

if hes gonna do it then do it. dont say it now.... buy in, play under contract, keep your mouth shut....quit whenever you quit but whatever with this media ****.

i get theres the greek langauge thing and maybe theres stuff lost in translation but he adds just as much fuel to the fire with the way he talks as anybody out there. why cant we just have a guy coming in whose still under contract for TWO YEARS and be a badass leader that get a 100% buy in from everybody in the organization with what he says. i just dont get it