Giannis Antetokounmpo called Milwaukee "MY city" in a post-season message to fans after the Bucks' worst record in a decade.
Year 13 for Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't go the way any fan of the Milwaukee Bucks hoped. The Bucks finished 32-50, their worst record in a decade, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
It was a season defined by injuries, internal conflict, and a franchise that's still trying to figure out what it actually is without Giannis carrying everything on his back. On Tuesday, Antetokounmpo put a bow on all of it with a post on X.
"Year 13. This has been one of the toughest seasons of my career, but as they say, like a phoenix from the ashes, I'll rise. To the city of Milwaukee, MY city, thank you for the unwavering love and support."
Short, direct, and exactly what you'd expect from someone who's been through enough to know that words matter less than what comes next.
Nov 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring his 21,000th career point in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesA Season That Went Sideways Fast
It wasn't supposed to look like this. Milwaukee opened the year on a promising 5-2 start before a groin strain sidelined Giannis and triggered a seven-game losing streak. He returned briefly, then suffered a calf strain against Detroit and was ruled out indefinitely.
From there, things got messier. Antetokounmpo and the organization wound up in a public dispute over whether he was healthy enough to return, with the NBA launching a formal investigation. Giannis insisted he was ready to play, and the Bucks ultimately said otherwise.
By late March, Milwaukee had guaranteed their first losing season since 2015-16, and the playoff streak Giannis built from nearly the moment he arrived was officially over.
What's Next for Giannis and Milwaukee
The post was sincere, but it doesn't answer the biggest question hanging over this offseason. Doc Rivers has already confirmed he won't return as head coach, and many are suspicious a Giannis trade will happen at some point this summer, though nothing is set in stone.
The financial picture adds another layer of complexity. Antetokounmpo will be eligible on October 1 to sign a four-year, $275 million maximum extension, which gives both sides a reason to at least keep talking.
But league insiders have reported a strong leaguewide belief that he'll be on a new team this offseason, a belief that only grew after the details of his standoff with the Bucks became public. The Knicks, Warriors, and Heat have all been mentioned as potential suitors.
He's still calling Milwaukee "MY city." He hasn't slammed the door, but this franchise has to show him something real this summer, and fast. The phoenix line wasn't throwaway motivation. For Giannis, it was a promise, and Milwaukee better make sure it can keep up.