Antetokounmpo open to playing for Bulls ‘down the line,’ committed to Bucks now

Credit Giannis Antetokounmpo for being honest.

When asked about their future, most superstars say, “I want to retire with” whatever team they are on, even as they keep eyeing greener pastures elsewhere. For example, at different points in his career Kyrie Irving was going to stay with the Cavaliers and later the Celtics, only to move on to the Nets (and possibly to Los Angeles, eventually).

Antetokounmpo is honest. He says he isn’t looking to leave Milwaukee — the only home he and his family have known in the United States, a place of stability for him — but one never knows what the future might hold. He said it again recently, when asked by Fox Sports 32 in Chicago if he would ever consider playing for the Bulls.

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

“Down the line, you never know. You never know how life brings it, maybe I play for Chicago. But right now I’m committed to Milwaukee.”

What drives Antetokounmpo is a desire to win.

“I have so much energy I’m so hungry to accomplish more,” Antetokounmpo recently told NBC Sports. “I want to go out there and help you know my team in the best way possible. And a lot of people know that I’m a winner. I love to win. I love to go out there and leave everything on the court.”

Right now, that winning can come with the Bucks, who are again a top title contender after having won it all in 2021. Giannis has four years and $188.9 million left on his current deal in Milwaukee, with the final season of that a player option. The first chance they get, the Bucks will offer Antetokounmpo a max