“I honestly think no place is a destination for [Giannis]…” No, this isn’t Carmelo Anthony raising questions against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s credibility, but rather emphasizing Giannis’ franchise-altering impact. During his appearance on his 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, Melo highlighted what the 6 ft 11 star brings to the game. He claimed, “You build around that… And the more that you see he needs help, you go get that help he needs. You don’t just give up on that.” However, a former Boston Celtics star doesn’t see things going that easily in this sense.
Melo’s loyalty may stem from his own experience in New York—surrounded by stars yet without a title. Lillard’s season-ending injury further exposed Milwaukee’s lack of secondary star power. So, from here on, this could play out in two different ways: Milwaukee bringing in some big names to back Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Greek Freak being traded to another franchise. However, ex-Celtics star Gary Payton sees issues in both scenarios.
On Nightcap, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson floated Giannis to the Heat, but Payton saw hurdles. “These are going to be big trades… To get Giannis, you got to give a lot of people away… They’re going to be asking for a lot from Miami… Probably four draft picks and two players,” he said, emphasising that these players would be some top cream like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. And even if Heat gives up Bam, they’ll mostly be left with just Giannis Antetokounmpo and Herro.
Further, during the conversation came the discussion on the possibility of bringing in new talent to supplement the Greek Freak. Something that Carmelo Anthony seemed to be rooting for. However, Payton doesn’t see this scenario, either, playing out that easily. “Who want to play with Giants… Who want to take a two year, three year deal and say, I’m going to Milwaukee. Ain’t too many people coming to Milwaukee,” he said.
Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Well, there’s no denying Milwaukee has never really been on the top of NBA stars’ wishlists when it comes to big-name destinations. Flashy cities with coastal appeal and vibrant nightlife often win that battle. So right now, Giannis’ future? It feels like a waiting game, with more questions than answers.
Why it makes sense for both the Bucks and Giannis to stay together
Think again about this for a second—how often do small-market teams land a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo? Not often, right? The Bucks had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once, and after he left, they waited for decades before they found another MVP. That’s not just a drought; that’s an entire generation of waiting. Unlike bigger franchises, Milwaukee can’t just count on allure or spotlight to bring in the next superstar. For them, Giannis is more than a franchise player—he’s lightning in a bottle.
Unlike flashier coastal franchises, the Bucks offered Giannis stability: a franchise supermax extension keeps him under contract through 2027 with an average annual value north of $60 million, ensuring both sides commit long-term. His family’s there, and his entire American journey has been shaped in that city. There’s a certain beauty in watching a player stay with one team from beginning to end. Dirk Nowitzki did it in Dallas, and look how fans there revere him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo himself has publicly embraced Milwaukee. In a USA Today interview, he stated he will “stay … as long as the Bucks keep winning,” emphasizing his buy-in to the organization’s vision. That loyalty echoes his Harvard case-study remark: “if this lasts, there’s no other place I want to be”—an affirmation he later clarified was in-depth, not misquoted
The Bucks? Even they’re most likely not ready to let go, at least not yet. And Giannis might’ve never pushed the eject button until he truly felt a second title was out of reach. But that’s where Damian Lillard’s injury changes the equation. Had Lillard stayed healthy, maybe Giannis could’ve kept believing—believing that with a few adjustments and some luck, they’d be right back in the fight. Now, the questions are louder. And so, the 12-year run hangs in the balance. What’s next? Will the Bucks lean into Carmelo Anthony’s vision, or will Gary Payton’s concerns come knocking at the door? Well, it remains to be seen.
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