Giannis Antetokounmpo released farewell messages to the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee Monday, expressing gratitude alongside candid admissions of fear about his move to the Miami Heat.
The trade became official Monday, sending Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick and future draft considerations to Milwaukee in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
In a YouTube interview with longtime Bucks broadcaster Jim Paschke, Antetokounmpo opened up about the uncertainty of leaving the only NBA home he’s known.
“I’m scared,” said Antetokounmpo. “I’m scared of change. I’m scared that the grass is not always greener. I’m scared of, like, people love me here. People respect me here. People allow me to be myself in the city and I’m scared that I might never find that again.
“But this is something that I wake up every single day or when I take my showers at night and I think, maybe I’ve waited too long. I see guys playing deep into the playoffs and I think maybe if I switch teams and I go somewhere else and I have a better opportunity, I can play deep into the playoffs, I can go try to chase another championship because I really want that.
“And I’m scared that if I don’t take that decision, that when I’m going to be 37, 38 years old and I’m retiring, I’m going to be like, ‘Why? Why didn’t you take that risk?’ And people don’t understand, it’s a risk.”
Antetokounmpo spent 13 seasons with Milwaukee, arriving from Greece at 18 years old and leading the franchise to its first championship since 1971 in 2021.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst released a statement thanking Antetokounmpo for his contributions to the organization.
“There are few players in the history of professional sports who have elevated a franchise, a city and a fan base the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has for Milwaukee and the Bucks,” said Horst.
Antetokounmpo also released a separate video message directly addressing Milwaukee fans.
“No matter where I am, Milwaukee will always be my city, my team, my family,” said Antetokounmpo.