Giannis Antetokounmpo Expresses Frustration with Bucks’ Performance
It seems Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to take some drastic action. Following the Bucks’ 122-102 defeat to the Thunder, he shared some troubling thoughts about his teammates, which may suggest uncertainty about his future with the franchise.
“We didn’t play hard,” he remarked after their disheartening loss, now placing their season record at 18-25. “We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together… Our chemistry is lacking. Some players are being selfish. We just don’t get it… and there’s not much time left,” he continued.
It’s unclear who exactly he’s referring to, or if it’s just a generalized statement from the MVP, but it’s certainly not music to the team’s ears—especially given his past hints about wanting a trade. He mentioned that some teammates focus more on “looking for their shot instead of seeking the right shot for the team.”
In their recent game, while the Bucks managed a shooting percentage of 49%, they also committed 16 turnovers, whereas the Thunder had only eight.
Kyle Kuzma, a former Laker, had a rough outing, finishing 4-12 and missing all five of his three-point attempts during 28 minutes of play.
“When you’re down by 10, 15, or 20 points, sometimes you press, trying to make that one play that might change everything, but it often feels futile,” Antetokounmpo added, highlighting the team’s struggles.
As trade speculations continue, the situation appears to be heading toward a significant decision; however, he has denied any intentions of parting ways. “There will never be a moment when I say, ‘I want a trade,’ ” he stated earlier this month.
In past discussions about trades, he expressed a preference for joining the Knicks. Given the Bucks’ recent record of just 3-9 over their last 12 games and ongoing adjustments under new coach Mike Brown, perhaps contemplating a trade would have been prudent.
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns is also enduring a rough season, averaging just 20.8 points per game—the lowest since his rookie year—and shooting 46.9 percent overall, which marks his career’s lowest percentage.
Though Antetokounmpo hasn’t formally requested a trade, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared insights into his potential desires. He mentioned that Antetokounmpo is likely to communicate which team he wishes to join, prompting the Bucks to pursue the best deal available.
Windhorst also noted that Antetokounmpo indicated this summer that he “wanted to be on the Knicks,” although this didn’t initiate an official trade request.
At present, the Bucks sit as the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference and need to regain their momentum before the season slips away completely. The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching on February 5.
