The Milwaukee Bucks are facing one of their toughest moments in recent years. With a disappointing 10–17 record, the pressure inside the team is rising fast. And now, with fresh trade rumors swirling around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the atmosphere inside the Bucks locker room has reportedly taken a serious hit.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Locker Room Is Not in a Good State

This situation is even more alarming for one reason. Last season, after the Bucks’ early postseason exit, the Greek Freak made it clear that he wanted to be on a team where he could win his second championship. The current record isn’t helping at all.

Now, to understand this situation, we need to rewind to the 2025 offseason.

Remember what Bucks president Peter Feigin previously said? During the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Summer League telecast against the Clippers, he had confidently stated that Antetokounmpo loved Milwaukee. He also had implied that the trade rumors made no sense because Antetokounmpo had such a strong relationship with the team and the city.

“We kind of laugh internally, it’s where we’ve been for 10 years. Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place. We feel great about it. It’s business as usual. I think we get kind of a fun little joy, and everybody else thinks that they know what’s going on, and kind of and know what the clickbait is.”

“You know, for us, we’re in a good spot, Giannis is in a good spot. He’s enjoying the summer. We’re looking forward to next season,” said Feigin during the telecast.

At the time, those words were enough to calm fans. But things changed quickly.

Recently on X, he suddenly deleted all his tweets, which dated back to July 2021. On Instagram, the changes were even more striking. Nearly every Milwaukee-related post disappeared from his profile. Only two Bucks memories remained, which were his 2021 championship moment and the in-season tournament trophy.

For many fans, that looked less like a random cleanup and more like a message.

Then came the report that truly set the rumor mill on fire. ESPN’s NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed that Antetokounmpo had shown interest in a potential trade to the New York Knicks during the offseason.

Now, another insider update has pushed the drama to a new level. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the current mood in the Bucks locker room regarding the Antetokounmpo trade rumors is anything but calm.

“Wins and losses. That’s the nature of the business right now in Milwaukee, and Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to play and compete for his second NBA championship. This is the Bucks team right now that’s playing and competing for a back-end play-in tournament slot.”

“They are 10-15 right now. Conversations are active and open. As of last week, between Giannis, his agent Alex Saratsis, and the Milwaukee Bucks. My understanding is the locker room can feel the tension at play here,” said Charania during a recent ESPN segment.

 

Shams says the tension in the Bucks locker room is rising with Giannis drama

“Conversations are active and open between Giannis side and Bucks side… My understanding is the locker room can feel the tension at play here” pic.twitter.com/U4GuIKjsv9

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 9, 2025

On the court, as mentioned before the things are not much better. Antetokounmpo has missed the Bucks’ last two games, which were against the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers, due to a right calf strain. Before the injury, he averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

In his absence, the team has been carried by Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, who are averaging 21.8 and 17.5 points per game, respectively. What will ultimately happen with the Greek Freak remains to be seen.