Giannis Antetokounmpo Open to Playing for Chicago ‘Down the Line’

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will always be linked to changing each other’s lives. When the Bucks drafted the Greek Freak 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, he was an athletic, lanky, and raw prospect with a lot of room to grow. Nearly a decade later, Antetokounmpo has filled out his potential and developed3 to be one of the world’s best players, if not the best, in the world.

His accent to the upper NBA echelon started when he was named the Most Improved Player in 2017. Since then, his accolades include winning back-to-back MVPs, winning a world title in 2021, and becoming Finals MVP after a historic 50-point effort to close out the Finals in Game 6. He’s a six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive team pick, and won the DPOY in 2015.

Now that he’s reached his promise to make the Bucks a championship franchise, there’s a possibility that he could leave Milwaukee once his current contract is up in 2026. The Greek Freak threw out there’s potential for him to don No. 34 for the Bulls. During an appearance on The Sports Zone on Fox 32 Chicago, Antetokounmpo admitted he’s open to the idea because of the history of the Bulls and Michael Jordan.

“I think anybody who is asked that question and would say no, he’s a liar. It’s a team that won multiple championships; it’s the team with one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players to ever play this game played for. It’s a no-brainer; everybody would love to play for Chicago. Down the line, you never know. Maybe I play for Chicago, but right now, I am committed to Milwaukee.” 

Giannis on playing for the #Bulls someday tonight on The Sports Zone on Fox 32 Chicago.@fox32news @foxkickoff @LouCanellis @CassieCarlsonTV @Giannis_An34 pic.twitter.com/mgvvAXwMej

— Fox 32 Chicago Sports (@foxkickoff) August 15, 2022

Antetokounmpo’s loyalty to the Bucks is unquestionable at this point. Especially after he signed a long-term extension with the franchise before they won a title, it’s a move that some don’t expect during a time of unprecedented player empowerment and movement. However, the Greek Freak is known to embrace that grind of winning a title with the team that drafted you.

After the Bucks won the 2021 Finals, Antetokounmpo spoke about how his path was “the hard way to do it.” Antetokounmpo, later on, said that “the next challenge might not be” in Milwaukee, but knowing how much he loves the Bucks and how loyal he’s been to the franchise, it’s hard to think of Antetokounmpo in another jersey.