Giannis Antetokounmpo Suffers Major Financial Loss! Only Wants to Play for Two Teams; Heat's Offer Nearly Persuaded Bucks

On April 8 Beijing time, renowned reporter Shams reported, citing multiple sources, that the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to let Giannis Antetokounmpo play at the end of the season, causing him significant financial losses off the court. The Bucks' decision to rest their star player directly resulted in him missing a large bonus from his Nike endorsement contract—a clause requiring him to play at least 41 games this season.

Giannis played only 36 games this season, setting a career low. He suffered five different injuries throughout the year, leading to multiple extended absences. After hyperextending his left knee against the Indiana Pacers on March 16, the Bucks required him to rest for all remaining games of the season.

Giannis refused this, telling the team he would return once healthy and actively requested to play in the March 18 game against the Jazz, but the Bucks medical staff did not grant him clearance. He later hoped to return during subsequent road trips but ultimately never played again.

Additional reports indicate that Doc Rivers separately informed several veterans like Kuzma and Turner that the team owner demanded no one rest due to fake injuries. However, according to ESPN, this requirement never applied to Giannis.

On March 25, the Players Association issued a statement implying the Bucks were keeping Giannis out to tank, harming league fairness. The NBA then formally launched an investigation, interviewing Giannis himself, his agent team, Bucks management, and team doctors. This investigation was actively pushed by Giannis through the Players Association and the league.

“Someone coming to tell me I can't play, can't compete, is like slapping me in the face,” Giannis said in an interview on April 3. “I can play right now, I can play at this moment. I don't know what my relationship with the team will become in the future.”

The Bucks told investigators that Giannis refused to participate in 3-on-3 drills during his rehab process, a claim denied by Giannis himself.

According to Shams, on February 5 the Bucks were close to accepting a Heat trade offer for Giannis. The Heat's package included Herro, Ware, and multiple draft picks. However, the team owner ultimately decided to keep Giannis and seek better offers in the summer.

Shams also reported that Giannis has informed the Bucks: aside from the Bucks, he will only play for the New York Knicks. “After meeting in Giannis' hometown Greece in late July last year, Giannis made it clear—aside from the Bucks, the Knicks are the only team he would play for. Despite this, the Bucks still refused to trade him, so Giannis agreed to give the new roster a chance to gel. However, this commitment did not last long.”