Bucks re-sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo, signaling Giannis will stay

The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million contract, a move the franchise and observers say signals Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain in Milwaukee to start the 2025-26 season. The elder Antetokounmpo confirmed the deal on social media with a post reading "Im back," and the team responded with a celebratory message, underscoring the signing's symbolic importance beyond the stat sheet.

Thanasis, 33, missed the entire 2024-25 NBA season after tearing his Achilles in May 2024. He returned to competitive play this summer with Greece at EuroBasket, producing a modest on-court contribution but drawing praise from national team coach Vassilis Spanoulis for his recovery, competitiveness and locker-room presence. The forward has played parts of five seasons with Milwaukee and averages roughly 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in limited minutes for his career.

Bucks officials and league observers view the signing as part of a broader effort to reassure Giannis and retain him amid persistent trade speculation. The two-time MVP had been publicly described as "open-minded" about his long-term fit with the franchise earlier in the...