The Milwaukee Bucks have failed to get past the Eastern Conference semifinals since winning the NBA championship in 2021. That was their best result, and the last few years haven’t been even that decent, either. Their disappointing streak of seasons has left Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in significant doubt now.
It isn’t all that surprising that he could leave. Any player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber would aim to win more championships and play on a team capable of taking a shot at the chip.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Stay With the Milwaukee Bucks?
Back in December 2025, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo could choose to leave Milwaukee if the team continued to perform poorly. This comes even after his reassurance to Bucks fans that his focus remains on the current roster.
With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, NBA insider Zach Lowe has revealed that multiple teams are monitoring the player’s situation.
He said, “The Hawks, the Warriors, the Lakers, the Heat, maybe the Knicks that are sort of thinking to themselves do we need to keep all of our stuff and wait for Giannis to may be become available whether it’s now or in the summer…”
Lowe added, “The whole league is watching if they slide any further down the standings…does Giannis push the button now instead of waiting until the summer? The biggest story in the NBA potentially.”
Zach Lowe:
“The Hawks, the Warriors, the Lakers, the Heat, maybe the Knicks that are sort of thinking to themselves do we need to keep all of our stuff and wait for Giannis to may be become available whether it’s now or in the summer…The whole league is watching if they slide… pic.twitter.com/gBUJMTpQZv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 18, 2026
The New York Knicks have been among the teams most frequently mentioned in Antetokounmpo trade rumors. His comment about New York only fueled the trade rumors further a few months ago.
Lowe claims that even the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors could potentially hold on to their assets in the hope that the Greek star becomes available a few weeks down the line, or later in the summer. It would surely be a blockbuster move if Antetokounmpo ends up in Los Angeles or in The Bay.
The Atlanta Hawks are also among the teams that could be waiting on Antetokounmpo, according to Lowe. The Hawks just let go of Trae Young recently and could be on the market to find the next face of their franchise.
The European star is one of the best players of this generation and could have a significant impact on any team he joins.