Giannis Antetokounmpo Refutes Bucks Owner’s Claim as Drama Already Begins in Milwaukee

Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates a made basket during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Uh oh.

Nine-time All-NBA Milwaukee Bucks star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has refuted a claim from Bucks governor Wes Edens. Apparently, the Bucks drama is wasting no time here at the start of training camp.

Per Underdog NBA, Edens claimed during his media day presser that he and Antetokounmpo discussed the two-time MVP's long-term outlook with the Bucks this summer.

More news: Giannis Antetokounmpo Sends Message to Bucks on Desired Role

Milwaukee failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for the third straight season this spring, losing nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard to an Achilles tendon tear mid-series.

The Bucks pivoted during the offseason, opting to stretch and waive the 6-foot-2 Weber State product's remaining $112.6 million contract. Milwaukee will now pay Lillard — who returned to the Portland Trail Blazers after the buyout — $22.5 million a year to not play for the team across the next five seasons. The Bucks used the new cap space to ink center Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million new deal.

Bucks owner Wes Edens on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the team:

"I had a great conversation with Giannis in June, and he made it clear that he is committed to Milwaukee and he likes having his family here."

Giannis just over 1 hour later:

"I cannot recall that meeting."

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) September 29, 2025

"I had a great conversation with Giannis in June, and he made it clear that he is committed to Milwaukee and he likes having his family here," Edens said.

Antetokounmpo, ailing from an active COVID-19 infection in his native Greece, had to Zoom into a meeting with gathered journalists. He point-blank refuted Edens' contention — or, at least, seemed to call it into question.

More news: Bucks' Blockbuster Move Overwhelmingly Named Biggest Surprise of Offseason

"I cannot recall that meeting," Antetokounmpo said.

The reconstituted Bucks don't quite look like world-beaters yet. Antetokounmpo, however, remains an All-NBA First Team superstar and is now nearing the end of his absolute athletic prime at age 30. He may be running out of patience with the organization.

The Bucks' 2025-26 Outlook

Antetokounmpo and Turner will form a formidable frontcourt duo on either end of the floor, and Turner's salary is fair, but the added $22.5 million in dead money that was essentially needed to ensure his services is incredibly risky. The Bucks did manage to bring back several promising guards on below-market deals, most notably Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr.

But will Porter or Trent — or new additions Cole Anthony or Gary Harris — be able to replicate the creation and scoring the team lost when Lillard went down? Can this Bucks team even win a playoff series as currently constructed?

For more news and notes on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.