Giannis Antetokounmpo helped the Milwaukee Bucks end a 50-year championship drought in 2021. It was an epic Finals MVP performance from the Greek Freak, and seemed to signal a new era of success for the Bucks. That was not to be.
They went seven games in the Conference semis a year later, but in the last three postseasons, they’ve been bounced in the first round. It was five games in 2023, six last year, and five again this year. And the blame can hardly be put on Giannis.
He may have played a part in that whole Adrian Griffin-Doc Rivers coaching debacle, but on the court he’s been indomitable. Especially in this postseason. Injuries cost him most of the series in 2023 and 2024, but this year, he scored 30 percent of Milwaukee’s points and grabbed 35 percent of their rebounds.
Antetokounmpo simply has not had the support, and that has led to rumors that he will be traded in each of the last few offseasons. The most recent updates suggest he will land in a big market such as L.A., N.Y., or Miami, but the situation remains fluid.
After Milwaukee’s third straight first-round exit, it feels like there’s some fire behind the smoke this time—but even still, Bobby Portis isn’t losing faith.
Bobby Portis is strangely confident Giannis is not going anywhere
Bobby Portis arrived in Milwaukee ahead of the 2020-2021 season, and by the end of it, the Bucks were champions. He’s been a solid addition to the rotation and has finished third in 6th Man of the Year voting twice since joining.
He’s been with Milwaukee five years now, and despite the fact that, as a veteran, he would likely be moved too if the Bucks do go for a rebuild, he thinks Antetokounmpo wants to be a one-club man. He “bleeds green” according Portis.
“I just think that Giannis bleeds green though. I think he bleeds green. I think he bleeds loyalty. I think he bleeds, wanting that Tim Duncan, Kobe-esque career. Steph Curry-type career where they play with one franchise.”
“Giannis bleeds green.”
Bobby Portis believes Giannis wants a one-team career like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Steph Curry 👀
But, Bobby notes that the Bucks’ window to win more championships will be a huge factor this offseason…@BPortistime | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/RgIoTX9AC2
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 9, 2025
Portis does have a player option for next season though, so odds are, if Giannis leaves, he will simply not pick up that option and depart himself.
It’s worth noting that the players Portis was comparing Giannis to—Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan and Steph Curry—did not stay with their respective franchises just because. They stayed because the front office continuously supplied them with quality teammates.Â
After Shaquille O’Neal left, Kobe got Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, and Lamar Odom. Duncan started with David Robinson, moved on to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and wrapped up with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Steph Curry had Klay and Draymond, then got Kevin Durant, and now has Jimmy Butler.
The Bucks did trade for Damian Lillard, but injuries have kept him from making an impact, and all signs point to his departure this summer as well after tearing his Achilles during the Pacers series.
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It seems the Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee has come to a close. His most likely landing spots at this point would probably be young quality teams in need of a little star power. The Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic spring to mind.
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