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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulates Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors beat the Bucks at Chase Center on January 07, 2026.
Giannis Antetokounmpo set off renewed leaguewide speculation about his future during NBA All-Star Weekend by first reaffirming his commitment to Milwaukee — then openly reflecting on franchises he once dreamed of playing for, a list that notably did not include the Golden State Warriors.
“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks and I’m committed to the people that I work with — my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc (Rivers), (general manager) John (Horst) and the front office,” Antetokounmpo said in a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
Antetokounmpo then pivoted to childhood aspirations and hypothetical scenarios, naming several iconic franchises — but not Golden State.
“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron passes me the ball?” Antetokounmpo said.
He also referenced the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, pondering how he would fit in their championship rosters.
Giannis’ Words Underscore Championship Pressure
Antetokounmpo emphasized that his reflections were rooted in competitive hunger, not dissatisfaction, stressing that loyalty and ambition coexist.
“If there will ever be a scenario where I’m not a Milwaukee Buck anymore, I just wanted anybody to know, like, hey man, I didn’t quit on my team because it’s my team, and I love it,” he said.
Later in the interview, Antetokounmpo illustrated that hunger with a metaphor that has resonated around the league.
He compared the Bucks’ 2021 championship run to enjoying an exceptional steak, while describing the seasons that followed — including three straight first-round playoff exits — as meals that failed to deliver the same satisfaction.
“You want that steak again,” Antetokounmpo said. “But that’s where you have to come to the realization that, ‘What if I fail in this, I won’t feel it again and stay in Milwaukee?’ And are you okay with that? And the answer is no, I’m not.”
Warriors’ Absence From Giannis’ List Resonates
Antetokounmpo’s omission of the Warriors stood out, given Golden State’s recent positioning as an aggressive suitor should Milwaukee ever reconsider its stance.
ESPN insider Shams Charania previously reported that the Bucks fielded inquiries ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline but did not receive an offer strong enough to justify moving Antetokounmpo. With both sides expected to reexamine the situation this summer, Antetokounmpo’s latest comments dim Golden State’s hopes.
League Insiders Questioned Giannis–Warriors Fit
Antetokounmpo’s reservations for the Warriors had already circulated before the trade deadline.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported ahead of the deadline that some league insiders believed Antetokounmpo could harbor reservations about joining an aging Warriors core led by Stephen Curry, along with the scrutiny that would come with aligning himself with a franchise icon.
“There is suspicion that Antetokounmpo could be turned off by the idea of joining an older team and/or facing the sort of criticism that Kevin Durant continues to absorb to this day about teaming up with Curry,” Fischer wrote in The Stein Line.
Warriors Pivoted, Traded Jonathan Kuminga
With Milwaukee unwilling to move Antetokounmpo and reported reservations lingering, Golden State pivoted at the trade deadline.
The Warriors dealt Jonathan Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis, ending one of the most debated developmental arcs of the franchise’s post-dynasty era.
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, had long been viewed as Golden State’s most valuable young trade asset and a central piece in their Giannis package. Once it became clear that no deal would materialize in-season, the Warriors converted upside into immediate frontcourt production and financial flexibility.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. Signals Aggressive Summer
Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made clear that the Kuminga trade does not signal restraint moving forward.
“We’re willing to do whatever it takes to improve this team, whether it’s young players, first-round picks,” Dunleavy said. “We always have been, we always will be, as long as we’re in this win-now window.”
Warriors Act on Timelines, Not Dreams
Antetokounmpo’s words — particularly his focus on championship satisfaction — helped crystallize Golden State’s approach.
The Warriors no longer appear positioned to wait on hypotheticals, Giannis included. With Curry still performing at an elite level, Golden State’s decisions reflect urgency rather than aspiration.
Whether Antetokounmpo’s future ever intersects with the Bay Area remains uncertain. What is clear is that his comments validated the Warriors’ pivot and emphasized the wider gap that exists between dream scenarios and present timelines that they are currently facing.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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