Takeaways from a 1-on-1 conversation with Giannis Antetokounmpo (02.03.2026)

Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski at length Feb. 3, less than two days before the NBA trade deadline. What were Jim's thoughts on those comments after asking what Giannis himself wanted? How is he negotiating the duality of wanting to stay in Milwaukee and playing for a championship? If he's exerting pressure on the Bucks, what does he want to see that he hasn't seen from a front office, even one that has engineered teams around Giannis for several years? Jim talks about the perception that Giannis wants to avoid being the bad guy, the likelihood of a trade by the deadline, whether or not he thinks this team can really compete again next year and how the 2026 draft might factor into the process.