“Now if in six, seven months I change my mind, that’s human, too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want. But I’m locked in. I’m locked into this team. I’m locked into these guys, this group, and to my coaching staff and to myself.”
Antetokounmpo was speaking to reporters a day after ESPN reported that the Bucks and New York Knicks engaged in trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo in August but never gained traction on a potential deal. According to ESPN, Antetokounmpo had indicated New York was the only place he wanted to play outside of Milwaukee.
The 6-foot-11 forward has said on multiple occasions over the years that he wants to play on a team committed to competing for championships, something he reiterated Sept. 29 during the Bucks’ media day event.
The Bucks, who won the title in 2021 but have exited in the first round of the playoffs each of the last three years, made one of the biggest free-agency moves of the offseason by signing Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers. Indiana has eliminated Milwaukee from the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
“I’ve always wanted to be in Milwaukee, always wanted to represent the city, as long as we have the opportunity to win,” Antetokounmpo said. “And I feel like we have an opportunity to win.”
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