In a move signaling the Milwaukee Bucks’ commitment to keeping their franchise cornerstone happy, the team has re-signed forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
“This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season,” Charania wrote on X.
The signing not only adds a familiar face to the roster but also strengthens the team’s connection to Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose future with the Bucks has been the subject of speculation throughout the offseason.
Brothers on the International Stage
Both Giannis and Thanasis are currently representing Greece at EuroBasket, where the national team has advanced to the next round after an undefeated 3-0 start in Group C. Their joint play on the international stage has only reinforced the close ties between the brothers — ties Milwaukee clearly values as it works to retain its two-time MVP.
Getty Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks checks in for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Thanasis, 33, missed the entire 2024-25 season recovering from an Achilles injury. He last appeared for Milwaukee during the 2023-24 campaign. Since joining the Bucks in 2019, he has played in 196 regular-season games, averaging 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Giannis’ Future Still in Question
The deal comes just weeks after Charania noted that Giannis’ long-term commitment to Milwaukee is not guaranteed.
“We’re standing here, it’s Aug. 4. Sources tell me there’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving,” Charania said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Aug. 4. “He’s evaluating whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere. The constant question that Giannis has, though, is, ‘Can I win a championship with this roster?’”
Giannis, who led Milwaukee to its first title in 50 years in 2021, has consistently emphasized his desire to compete for another championship. With free agency and roster construction looming large, the Bucks’ ability to surround him with the right supporting cast remains the organization’s central challenge.
Offseason Moves Shape New-Look Roster
Milwaukee’s offseason has been marked by both aggressive moves and difficult decisions. The Bucks signed center Myles Turner in free agency, bolstering their frontcourt depth, but also parted ways with Damian Lillard, stretching and waiving the remaining $103 million on his contract after the star guard suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
The Bucks also pursued Bradley Beal and Marcus Smart, but both opted for Western Conference contenders — Beal with the Los Angeles Clippers and Smart with the Lakers. Despite the setbacks, team officials remain upbeat about the roster’s direction and the chances of keeping Giannis content.
Confidence From the Front Office
Bucks president Peter Feigin dismissed the constant speculation about Giannis’ future, insisting the organization and city remain aligned with their superstar.
“We kind of laugh internally. It’s where we’ve been for ten years,” Feigin said on an NBATV Summer League broadcast. “Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place. We feel great about it. It’s business as usual.”
General manager John Horst echoed that sentiment, telling The Athletic’s Eric Nehm that the Bucks’ front office has pushed its limits to keep Milwaukee in contention.
“We’ve done everything, I’ve done everything within my humanly possible power this offseason,” Horst said. “We do everything we can to put the next version of this thing out there, to give Doc [Rivers] and Giannis and Bobby [Portis] and Scoot [Kevin Porter Jr.] and the guys on our team every chance that they can to win every night.”
A Strategic Signing
By bringing back Thanasis, the Bucks send a clear message: the organization is committed to creating an environment that keeps Giannis comfortable and engaged. While Thanasis’ role on the court may be limited, his presence in the locker room and close relationship with his brother are viewed as valuable assets in maintaining team chemistry and, perhaps more importantly, in persuading Milwaukee’s superstar to stay put.
As the Bucks prepare for the upcoming season, the Antetokounmpo brothers’ bond — both in Greece’s EuroBasket campaign and back in Milwaukee — looms large over the franchise’s championship ambitions and its long-term future.
Bucks’ $2.9M Move Reveals Giannis’ True Future