Giannis “bleeds green” and isn’t going anywhere, says teammate Bobby Portis
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis isn’t buying any of the trade rumors surrounding his superstar teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo. In a recent interview with ESPN Milwaukee, Portis made it clear he doesn’t see the two-time MVP asking for a trade this offseason.
“Yeah, I talk to Giannis all the time. That’s my teammate,” Portis said. “Giannis bleeds green. That’s all I can say.”
Portis seemed completely baffled by ESPN reporter Shams Charania’s suggestion that Antetokounmpo might be “open-minded” about playing elsewhere.
“I mean, what’s wrong with our team? Why can’t we do it this year?” Portis asked.
He pointed to injuries as the real culprit behind the Bucks’ recent playoff disappointments.
“The only thing wrong with us is people being hurt,” he explained. “We win the championship. 2022 came in and we go down. We lose Game 7 to Boston. 2023, first round, Giannis tries to dunk on [Kevin] Love, comes down, hurts his back.”
The pattern continued into last season.
“We don’t have big fella. 2024, Giannis hurts his leg against the Celtics in the regular season and then, doesn’t play another game. Then, coming back this year, we haven’t been really been healthy. I don’t make excuses but that’s just what the tables was for us.”
Giannis himself seemed to quiet trade rumors during a live stream with IShowSpeed last month, telling fans he planned to stay in Milwaukee.
“Probably. Probably, we’ll see. Probably, I love Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said when asked if he would play in Milwaukee this season.
But the speculation hasn’t completely died down.
Earlier this month, Charania reported that the 12-year veteran might not be fully committed to the Bucks at this point in his career, despite not yet requesting a trade.
“Sources tell me there’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving. And so, he’s continuing to evaluate his future,” Charania said.
The reporter added that Antetokounmpo has had “some very real conversations” about his future over the last week.
What’s driving Giannis’s thinking? According to Charania, it comes down to one thing.
“The constant question that Giannis has, though, is, ‘Can I win a championship with this roster? Is this roster going to be one for this upcoming year and 2026-27?’ He wants to win a second championship.”
Team president Peter Feigin downplayed the situation last month, saying both sides are “in a good place.”
“We kind of laugh internally, it’s where we’ve been for 10 years,” Feigin said on NBA TV. “Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We’re in a good place. We feel great about it. It’s business as usual… We’re looking forward to next season.”
Antetokounmpo remains under contract through the 2027-28 season, but could become a free agent in 2027 if he declines his massive $62.8 million player option.
The Greek superstar was dominant again last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting an impressive 60.1% from the floor in 67 games.
