Giannis denies speaking with Bucks about future: 'I'm still locked in'

Giannis Antetokounmpo denied a recent report indicating that he discussed his long-term future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks," Antetokounmpo told reporters Thursday, including The Athletic's Eric Nehm, in his first media availability since suffering a calf strain on Dec. 3. "I'm still locked in, locked in on my teammates. Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy."

However, Antetokounmpo didn't dismiss the possibility that his agent, Alex Saratsis, spoke with Milwaukee or other teams.

"If my agent is talking to the Bucks about (my future), he is his own person," Antetokounmpo said. "He can have any conversation he wants about it. At the end of the day, I don't work for my agent. My agent works for me.

"And there's going to be conversations that are going to be made between him and the Bucks and him and his other players and him and other teams and others GMs, executives around the league. It's something that you can't control."

Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee has been up in the air since the offseason.

The Bucks reportedly engaged with the New York Knicks in August on a potential Antetokounmpo trade, but the two sides didn't strike a deal.

New York is reportedly the two-time MVP's only desired trade destination if he were to leave the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo voiced his frustrations in late November during a seven-game losing skid for the team, saying no Bucks player should have a "personal agenda."

Milwaukee reportedly intends to be buyers at the trade deadline even though it sits five games below .500 and 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is halfway through the reported two-to-four week timeline for his calf strain. He's averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 17 appearances this season.

Antetokounmpo has one season remaining on his contract plus a $62.8-million player option for 2027-28.