Outside the visitors’ locker room at the Chase Center, as the Milwaukee Bucks absorb a loss that weighs heavily in the standings, the scene tells a very different story from the one circulating in NBA rumors.

It’s there that Giannis Antetokounmpo, in an interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick, makes his stance crystal clear – surrounded by family: his wife Mariah, their four children, his mother Veronica, and his brother Thanasis.

Some are playing with a ball, others mimicking a hoop with their arms, laughter mixing with staff chatter. A calm, almost serene picture – seemingly at odds with the narrative portraying the Greek superstar as increasingly distant from Milwaukee.

Yet it’s precisely in that setting that Giannis leaves no room for interpretation: he will never ask the Bucks for a trade.

There will never be a moment where I say, “I want to be traded.” That’s not who I am.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Measured words, delivered with a precision that contrasts sharply with the forced interpretations of recent weeks. No escape plan, no hidden agenda – just a firm line in the sand.

Rumors, the deadline, and a clearly drawn red line

With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, speculation around Antetokounmpo’s future has intensified. The prevailing logic is simple: if Giannis were truly ready to leave, it would have to start with him. But that step, he makes clear, won’t happen.

I can only control what comes out of my mouth.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

According to Giannis, the outside noise is fueled by third-party conversations, not by concrete signals. He openly challenges anyone claiming otherwise to point to a quote, an on-court gesture, or a moment suggesting he had checked out.

A commitment that goes beyond the standings

The Bucks’ season has been difficult. Their 16-21 record and 11th place in the East highlight real struggles. Injuries have limited Antetokounmpo, forcing him to miss 14 games. Still, when he’s on the floor, his numbers remain MVP-caliber: 29.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 64.5% shooting. Only Nikola Jokic operates in that statistical stratosphere.

Inside the locker room, his commitment is unquestioned. Even Doc Rivers dismisses any notion of a rift:

Giannis loves Milwaukee, he loves playing here. He’s never shown any sign of wanting to leave. If he ever changed his mind, I’d be surprised.

Doc Rivers

Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirms total commitment to the Bucks

Antetokounmpo doesn’t deny a basic truth: in basketball, as in life, things can change. But he rejects the idea that acknowledging that reality equals plotting an exit.

For me, right now – today – the commitment is total. Not 100%, but a million percent – to my teammates, my job, this team, and this city. A million percent.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

His priorities are clear: health, continuity, wins. Focus on the next game, not the noise. Stack victories before the All-Star break to re-enter the playoff race. Everything else is secondary.

Control and humility: “I’m not the boss”

In one of the interview’s most revealing passages, Giannis flips a common perception of NBA superstars. Off the court, he’s an entrepreneur, a leader. On it, he’s not.

I’m an employee. Someone signs my checks. I can only control my work.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

That doesn’t mean passivity – it means clarity. He won’t use his voice to force anyone’s hand, publicly or privately. And he doubles down on a principle central to who he is:

There is no scenario where I abandon my team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Winning is the only thing that matters

When the conversation turns to basketball itself, Antetokounmpo touches on a key idea: winning doesn’t have a single shape. It doesn’t always mean dominance, spotlight, or gaudy individual numbers.

In 2021 I didn’t do everything myself. We won because everyone accepted their role.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

He points to recent examples of teams built on sacrifice—players willing to give up status and shots for the system to work. For Giannis, that’s where the Bucks’ turning point lies: fully buying into the idea of winning, even when it isn’t aesthetically pleasing.

Maybe one night I score 12 points and grab 20 rebounds. Another night it’s someone else. Winning doesn’t always look the same.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s final message

Amid the noise of forklifts and a team bus waiting outside, Giannis ends without slogans – just a clear conviction: the future isn’t built by running from difficulty.

The Bucks need to grow, adapt, and become more selfless. And he, for better or worse, is all in.