Giannis Antetokounmpo said in a recent interview that if the decision had been entirely his, he might have already left the Milwaukee Bucks. The two-time MVP is approximately 18 months from unrestricted free agency.
Antetokounmpo addressed his timeline directly, stating, “In a year and a half, when I become a free agent at 32, it will be up to me,” he said. He is currently averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season.
Antetokounmpo also stated he would not force a trade, saying, “I am not this kind of guy,” he said. He added, “Right now, at this moment, I’m in Milwaukee,” while making clear that his long-term decision will depend on the organization’s ability to build a championship-level roster.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments on loyalty and free agency
Antetokounmpo’s remarks position him as open to leaving Milwaukee through free agency rather than via trade demand — a distinction he made explicitly during the interview. His comments align with a broader pattern of star players publicly discussing future flexibility while remaining with their current teams.
James Harden has separately described loyalty in the NBA as “overrated,” a perspective that reflects the current environment in which players increasingly view free agency as a standard career tool rather than an act of disloyalty.
Bucks’ roster-building pressure and $275M extension
Milwaukee has a $275 million contract extension available for Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ ability to present a competitive roster around him is expected to be the primary factor in whether he signs the extension or reaches unrestricted free agency.
Antetokounmpo’s production — 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists — remains at an MVP-caliber level, which increases both the urgency for Milwaukee to build around him and his leverage in any negotiation or free agency scenario.
League-wide implications of Giannis reaching free agency
If Antetokounmpo reaches unrestricted free agency at 32, he would be one of the most accomplished players to hit the open market in recent NBA history. His availability would affect roster planning and cap management across the league, particularly for teams with projected cap space in that window.
The extension timeline and Milwaukee’s offseason moves over the next 18 months will determine whether the Bucks retain Antetokounmpo long-term or whether one of the league’s most productive players becomes available to the rest of the NBA.