Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, solidified by the re-signing of his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo on September 1, 2025, has quelled trade rumors for now, dashing hopes for teams like the Golden State Warriors. While some Warriors fans may see this as a missed opportunity to land the two-time NBA MVP, Giannis’ choice to remain in Milwaukee could benefit Golden State in the long run. This analysis explores why Giannis’ commitment is a strategic advantage for the Warriors, how Milwaukee’s roster moves impact his decision, and the potential trade scenarios that could still unfold mid-season if the Bucks falter.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ re-signing of Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a one-year, $2.9 million deal signals Giannis Antetokounmpo’s intent to stay, at least for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. This move, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, underscores Giannis’ loyalty to family and the Bucks, but it doesn’t guarantee long-term stability. For the Golden State Warriors, who have been linked to Giannis amid Milwaukee’s three consecutive first-round playoff exits, this development offers both immediate relief and future opportunities. Let’s break down the situation.
Giannis’ Decision: A Fragile Commitment
Giannis’ future with the Bucks was precarious this offseason. After a third straight first-round playoff exit in 2025, coupled with Damian Lillard’s season-ending Achilles injury, reports surfaced that Giannis was “open-minded” about exploring trade options for the first time in his career. His loyalty to Milwaukee, where he’s played all 12 seasons since being drafted in 2013, has been tested by the team’s inability to build a championship-contending roster around him, especially with limited draft picks until 2031 and Lillard’s $54 million salary burden.
The re-signing of Thanasis, a move Giannis has long valued due to his family-first mentality, appears to have tipped the scales. Shams Charania noted, “This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season.” Giannis himself reinforced this in a June 2025 interview with Brazil’s Coast to Coast, saying, “The Finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks,” and later in July with iShowSpeed, stating, “I love Milwaukee… Probably.” These comments, paired with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reporting no active trade market for Giannis, suggest he’s committed—for now.
However, this commitment is fragile. Giannis has emphasized winning as his top priority, stating on the Thanalysis Show podcast, “Me not having a second championship… I’m letting down myself.” If the Bucks, who waived Lillard and signed Myles Turner to bolster their frontcourt, fail to show early-season promise, trade speculation could reignite.
Why This Benefits the Warriors
The Warriors, a tier below Western Conference elites like the Oklahoma City Thunder, were not in an ideal position to trade for Giannis this summer. A package centered on Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and draft capital would have depleted their roster, especially after Butler’s significant impact in 2024-25. By staying in Milwaukee, Giannis gives Golden State time to strengthen their trade position, particularly through ongoing contract negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors are strategically delaying Kuminga’s extension, reportedly aiming for a $22-25 million annual deal, to maintain trade flexibility for February 2026. A mid-season trade for Giannis, if he becomes available, could involve Kuminga and Draymond Green (with a $24.1 million player option for 2025-26) or smaller contracts like Moses Moody ($5.8 million) and Buddy Hield ($9.7 million), avoiding the need to include Butler. This flexibility is crucial, as Milwaukee would likely demand young talent and picks to recoup assets lost in previous trades for Jrue Holiday and Lillard. An X post from NBA insider Marc Stein noted, “Milwaukee remains hopeful that Giannis will stay committed,” but league-wide anticipation persists that he could lose confidence if the Bucks struggle.
Milwaukee’s Roster Moves and Giannis’ Future
The Bucks are aggressively retooling around Giannis. Waiving Lillard freed cap space to sign Myles Turner, a rim-protecting center who complements Giannis’ playstyle. They also have the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and $5.1 million biannual exception to pursue free agents, with players like Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis (player option) potentially facilitating sign-and-trade deals. Coach Doc Rivers, who has a strong relationship with Giannis, is seen as a stabilizing factor. These moves aim to convince Giannis that Milwaukee can contend, but their lack of draft picks and $108 million in combined salaries for Giannis and Lillard (despite his injury) limit their ceiling.
If the Bucks start poorly—say, below .500 by the trade deadline—Giannis could reconsider his stance. His contract, a three-year, $186 million extension signed in 2023 with a player option for 2027-28, gives him leverage to push for a trade without publicly demanding one. An X post from Eurohoops quoted Giannis saying, “I’m not a guy who’s going to ask for a trade, they should kick me out,” suggesting he’d leave the decision to Milwaukee’s front office.
Potential Trade Scenarios for the Warriors
If Giannis becomes available mid-season, the Warriors could offer a compelling package:
Option 1: Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and draft picks (2026, 2028 first-rounders). Kuminga’s youth and athleticism, paired with Green’s expiring contract, could appeal to Milwaukee for a rebuild.
Option 2: Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and picks. This preserves Green’s defensive anchor role while offering Milwaukee young talent and cap relief.
Option 3: A multi-team deal involving a third team to absorb salary or provide additional assets, leveraging Golden State’s $14.1 million trade exception (if acquired) and Milwaukee’s need for picks.
The Warriors’ patience with Kuminga’s contract ensures they can match Giannis’ $56.4 million salary for 2025-26 without gutting their core. Other teams, like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors, are also potential suitors, but Golden State’s championship pedigree and Stephen Curry’s presence make them a strong fit for Giannis.
The Bigger Picture: A Win-Win for Now
Giannis’ decision to stay benefits the Warriors by delaying a high-stakes trade they weren’t ready for. It gives Golden State time to assess Kuminga’s development, manage their cap, and monitor Milwaukee’s performance. For the Bucks, keeping Giannis avoids a franchise-altering trade and buys time to prove they can contend. An X post from Brew Hoop summarized the sentiment: “Giannis is staying in Milwaukee, for now. Let out a sigh of relief, Bucks fans.” However, the NBA’s unpredictability—evidenced by recent blockbuster trades like Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Jimmy Butler to the Warriors—means nothing is certain. If Milwaukee stumbles, the Warriors could be first in line for Giannis by February 2026.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks, reinforced by Thanasis’ re-signing, pauses trade speculation but doesn’t end it. For the Golden State Warriors, this is a strategic win, preserving their assets while keeping the door open for a mid-season blockbuster if Milwaukee falters. Giannis’ loyalty to family and the Bucks is admirable, but his hunger for another championship could shift the narrative by the trade deadline. As the 2025-26 season approaches, will the Warriors capitalize on their flexibility to pursue Giannis, or will Milwaukee solidify his future?