Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirmed that he\u2019s \u201clocked in\u201d with the Milwaukee Bucks while acknowledging the possibility that could eventually change depending on how…<\/p>\n
MILWAUKEE(AP) \u2014 Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirmed that he’s \u201clocked in\u201d with the Milwaukee Bucks while acknowledging the possibility he eventually could change his mind depending on how things develop over the next several months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe in this team,\u201d the two-time MVP told reporters Wednesday after the Bucks’ practice. \u201cI believe in my teammates. I\u2019m here to lead this team to whatever we can go. It\u2019s definitely going to be hard. We\u2019re going to take it day by day, but I\u2019m here. All the added extra stuff, that doesn\u2019t matter. I think I\u2019ve communicated with my teammates, communicated with the people that I respect and love, that the moment that I step in on this court, in this facility, I wear this jersey. The rest does not matter. I\u2019m locked into whatever I have I front of me.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow if in six, seven months I change my mind, that\u2019s human, too. You\u2019re allowed to make any decision you want. But I\u2019m locked in. I\u2019m locked into this team. I\u2019m locked into these guys, this group, and to my coaching staff and to myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Antetokounmpo was speaking to reporters a day after ESPN reported that the Bucks and New York Knicks engaged in trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo in August but never gained traction on a potential deal. According to ESPN, Antetokounmpo had indicated New York was the only place he wanted to play outside of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-11 forward has said on multiple occasions over the years that he wants to play on a team committed to competing for championships, something he reiterated<\/a> Sept. 29 during the Bucks\u2019 media day event.<\/p>\n The Bucks, who won the title in 2021 but have exited in the first round<\/a> of the playoffs each of the last three years, made one of the biggest free-agency moves of the offseason by signing Myles Turner<\/a> away from the Indiana Pacers. Indiana has eliminated Milwaukee from the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be in Milwaukee, always wanted to represent the city, as long as we have the opportunity to win,\u201d Antetokounmpo said. \u201cAnd I feel like we have an opportunity to win.\u201d<\/p>\n