Giannis Antetokounmpo is entering talks with Milwaukee about a possible trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratzis from the Octagon, are official started conversations with Milwaukee Bucks on the two-time MVP’s future and whether he fits best with them or elsewhere around the NBA, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

At the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, Giannis’ future was a key topic of conversation among teams.

The Bucks star has been seriously considering his future in the league during the offseason, and while in Milwaukee are involved in trade talks with the New York Knicksone of Antetokounmpo’s favorite destinations, has signaled that he wants to start the year with the organization.

With the Bucks struggling at 9-13 and Giannis their only consistent strength, the nine-time All-Star is once again questioning his future in Milwaukee. This time, however, it looks like trade talks will intensify around the NBA to the point where Antetokounmpo could end his career elsewhere.

Talks between Giannis and the Bucks will lead to a resolution in the coming weeks, where it will become clear whether Antetokounmpo will be on the move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

There’s a growing sense that Giannis could be on the move this season, given Milwaukee’s slow start to the year, and these new talks between the player, his agent and the organization signal that the end is near.

One source with direct knowledge of the situation in Milwaukee described thing for Charania as the “writing is on the wall” for Giannis’ eventual departure, barring a dramatic turn of events for the team.

Whether it’s New York or elsewhere, Giannis’ list of suitors will be anything but short. Countless teams around the league have long-standing interest at the 30-year-old, and multiple big-market teams will likely be in talks with the Bucks between now and a final decision.

The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat are just a few of the many teams that have been rumored to have trade interest in Giannis over the years.

Last offseason, Antetokounmpo talked a lot about his future in the NBA and whether he would stay with the Bucks. Amidst him and his agent evaluating their options over the summer, Giannis claimed he did always preparing to find out that he himself has been trafficked in the middle of the night, like Luka Doncic did at the trade deadline last year.

“Look, I hope it never happens, but I expect it too. Just because you’ve given a lot to the team doesn’t mean the team won’t do what’s best for themselves,” Antetokounmpo told Sport24 from Greece in an exclusive interview in September. “It’s not always the same owners. And when I say owners – now team presidents – they’re not the same as when we won the championship. It’s someone else.”

Giannis also cleared up any trade rumors surrounding him in October, claiming he “believes” in the Bucks and his teammates.

“I’m here to lead this team wherever we go and it’s definitely going to be tough. We’re going to take it day by day, but I’m here. So all the other extra stuff doesn’t matter. I think I’ve communicated with my teammates, I’ve communicated with people I respect and I like that the moment I step on the field or in this jersey, I don’t care what’s important. I have it in front of me.”

How the Bucks perform in December and whether they can quickly turn their season around will be the biggest factor in Antetokounmpo’s eventual decision to eventually request a trade. So far, he has remained committed to the Bucks and has not made it known that he wants to play elsewhere.

Through 16 games this season, Giannis is averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 63.9 percent from the floor.