Giannis: I don’t want anyone to think I abandoned the Bucks, but I can’t accept staying if we can never win a championship again.

On February 18th Beijing time, ESPN released an exclusive interview with Giannis. Facing female host Marika, the Bucks star talked about his future and what he wants. Below is the full interview transcript—

Host: I made a mistake before by not asking you directly but instead asking people around you about your future with the Bucks. I won’t make that mistake again. So, when October 2026 comes, will you still be a Milwaukee Bucks player?

Giannis: I can’t predict the future. I love wearing this jersey. I will never let down those who have helped me. Since the start of this year, I’ve said you will never hear me say I want to be traded or anything like that. But sometimes I feel people don’t listen to what I say; instead, they believe all kinds of rumors from my circle, like the ‘Giannis camp.’

I don’t have any camp. My camp is my wife, my kids, my brothers—that’s all I have. Other people’s opinions about me are worthless. Anyone can have opinions and say whatever they want. I respect everyone’s views, but I’ll say again, I have always given my all to this team.

Host: When do you think you will be back on the court?

Giannis: My body is fine now. I just need to pass step-by-step tests: one-on-one, three-on-three, five-on-five. Once I complete those, I could return in the next game.

Host: You’ve always carried two very distinct labels: a winner and extremely loyal. Are these two ever in conflict within you?

Giannis: No. I’m a winner and extremely loyal. But that doesn’t mean because I’m loyal, I can’t talk with the team about what the future might look like. I’ve proven my loyalty through 13 years of actions and behavior, and I don’t think anyone can deny that.

But sometimes I’ll be honest: as a kid, you dream. Like, “What if I played for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden?” “What if I was drafted by the Lakers and became Kobe’s teammate?” “What if I went to the Cavaliers and played with LeBron?” People dream, and that doesn’t stop when you grow up.

If one day I’m no longer a Bucks player, I just don’t want anyone to think, “Hey, he abandoned his team.” This is my team, and I love it here.

Host: I don’t think anyone would think that way. The general perception in the league is that you’ve earned the right to make any choice you want.

Giannis: Yes, but I won’t act like that. I really don’t care. When you realize you shouldn’t feel entitled to everything, that’s when you mature.

Some say, “I deserve this,” or “I deserve that,” or “I’m an NBA star, so I should be treated specially.” No, winning a championship doesn’t give you the right to leave. I don’t want to live like that.

Host: You told me once, “We might never win another championship again, and that’s okay. I’d rather win once here than two or three somewhere else.” Looking back now, what do you think?

Giannis: I still want to win again. I really want to win again. Maybe I was a little tipsy after drinking champagne then, I was joking. But once you’ve tasted a truly top-tier steak, over time, other meals just don’t feel as good. You keep craving that flavor. I want to experience that feeling again in Milwaukee.

But you have to face reality: if you stay in Milwaukee but never feel that championship joy again, can you accept it? My answer is no. I want to win, but most importantly, I want to win a championship with the Bucks. If that’s not part of the plan or possible, I might have to make a change because I really want to win.