Giannis Antetokounmpo Doubles Down on Finals Desire Amid Trade Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the biggest names thrown in trade rumors since the 2024-25 NBA season ended in a first-round playoff defeat against the Indiana Pacers.
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The Bucks finished the season with a 48-34 record and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, dropping from the third position they achieved in the prior season.
They have tried to return to the Finals and win another championship since their remarkable run in the 2021 playoffs, but injuries and inconsistent play have stepped in their way.
Rumors and speculation regarding Antetokounmpo’s future have been tied to those situations, and this offseason isn’t any different. A Brian Windhorst report on Tuesday said that for the moment, there is no market for the two-time NBA MVP.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Before that, on Monday, the Greek player expressed his desire to return to the NBA Finals with the Bucks, seemingly rejecting all speculations about his future.
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Antetokounmpo didn’t stop there and doubled down on those comments on Wednesday. StatMuse’s X account shared that the 2021 NBA champion led the Finals in most combined points, rebounds and assists per game with 53.3, topping Nikola Jokić (51.4), Rick Barry (47.2), Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain (47.1 each) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (46.5).
Antetokounmpo reacted to the mini-list with a four-word message, indicating he wants to play in the biggest series again.
Antetokounmpo was an MVP candidate in the 2024-25 NBA season. He couldn’t get in the middle of the race between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but showed again that he’s one of the top talents in the league.
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Time will tell how this situation unfolds for the Bucks’ superstar, but even after his recent statements, many aren’t convinced that he’s willing to stay with the Bucks for much longer.
Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Lose Key Teammate to West Contender
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.