The Bucks’ superstar voiced frustration after being benched late in the season, while also leaving his future in Milwaukee wide open… Yankee Scores reports.
Giannis Calls Benching “Disrespectful”
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t hold back after Milwaukee’s season-ending 126-106 loss to Philadelphia. The two-time MVP said it was “disrespectful” that the Bucks sidelined him despite his belief that he was healthy enough to play.
“Being cleared to play, I don’t understand,” he said. “Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.”
Conflicting Signals About His Future
When asked if he had played his final game in a Bucks uniform, Antetokounmpo replied, “That’s a very good question. I don’t know. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
The 31-year-old emphasized that communication with the organization had broken down. “I feel like sometimes people just don’t listen. The main source is me,” he explained. He added that he planned to put his phone on “do not disturb” to avoid distractions.
Extension or Trade Looms
Bucks owner Wes Edens previously told ESPN that Antetokounmpo will either be extended or traded before he can reach free agency next summer. A potential five-year, $275 million extension could be offered in October, but Giannis said, “We’ll see when we get there… somebody has to offer you that, for you to sign.”
He stressed that winning matters more than money: “Money doesn’t mean nothing to me. Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”
Franchise at a Crossroads
Milwaukee finished 32-50, ending a nine-year playoff streak and confirming Doc Rivers’ departure as head coach. Antetokounmpo admitted, “We’re very bad. We are the furthest away that we’ve been in the last couple of years.”
With his future unresolved and the Bucks searching for a new coach, the franchise faces a pivotal offseason that could reshape its identity.
