Giannis Antetokounmpo reiterates his desire to leave the Bucks while rumblings about the Knicks persist

Giannis Antetokounmpo may not include the Milwaukee Bucks in his playing future plans.

The two-time MVP, who helped the Bucks win a championship in 2021, recently stated on the Bleav podcast, “48 Minutes,” that he is ready to leave Milwaukee in search of a better opportunity if he feels his current team isn’t committed to winning.

“As long as we play and we approach the game every single day the right way and we all sacrifice for a common goal, I can see myself being with the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career,” the 28-year-old Antetokounmpo said.

“But the moment I feel like people are not committed as I am to get that golden thing in the back … I am a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly, I am a winner. I want to win.

“I have to do whatever it takes for me to win, and if there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien [championship trophy] I have to take that better situation.”

This isn’t the first time Antetokounmpo has cast doubt on his future with the Bucks after Milwaukee’s first-round playoff ouster by the Miami Heat in April.

The Greek superstar stressed the value of sacrifice from the team when he told The New York Times last month that he will not be looking to sign a new deal this season.

Mike Budenholzer was fired by Milwaukee as head coach following the team’s early postseason exit.

In September, Antetokounmpo, whose current contract has two years remaining and a player option, will be eligible to sign a three-year, $173 million extension.

Because of the “uncertainty” surrounding Antetokounmpo, ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst stated in May that the league is keeping an eye on the Bucks’ predicament this offseason. The Knicks were mentioned as a team showing a modest interest in the seven-time All-Star.

On another episode of the “48 Minutes” podcast, Antetokounmpo talked about how his desire to win, no matter what, is more important to him than contracts.

“At the end of the day I want to be a winner,” he said. “Contracts, fame … comfort zone, does not matter to me. What matters at the end of the day is [the Larry O’Brien trophy] … I don’t want to be able to get stuck in this lifetime to keep talking about the same story.”

Antetokounmpo added he hasn’t played basketball all offseason due to a procedure he underwent on his knee.

“I’m getting slowly back on the court now, so hopefully I can be back and ready for training camp with the team and I can participate in the preseason games, because I miss it,” Antetokounmpo said.

“The last taste I have in my mouth is bitter from that game,” he explained, referencing the Bucks’ 128-126 Game 5 overtime loss to the Heat.

Antetokounmpo added on the podcast that the team “did not accomplish our goals and we played bad basketball.”

“My injury in the first game played a big part of my rhythm and in the team’s rhythm,” he said.

“But me personally, I’m coming back in locked in. I want to come back and enjoy the game. I want to go out there and have as much fun as I can and go at guys.”

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The Bucks have struggled in the postseason after winning the championship in 2021, when they topped the Phoenix Suns.

Milwaukee was eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals the following year.

The Bucks host the Bulls in their first preseason game Oct. 8.