A fanbase is always hit pretty hard when their team’s superstar heads out of town, but Milwaukee Bucks fans appear sadder than usual. After months of speculation, Giannis Antetokounmpo is finally on his way out, with the Bucks agreeing to a trade with the Miami Heat.
Bucks fans have responded to that bit of sad news by leaving mementos at the giant Antetokounmpo mural in downtown Milwaukee on the east facade of 600 EAST, at 600 E. Wisconsin Avenue.
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With the clip going viral, Antetokounmpo hilariously reminded everyone that he hadn’t passed away.
“People I’m still alive,” Antetokounmpo commented.
While no one has died, it sure seems like there’s a massive funeral in Milwaukee. Their favorite son is gone.
The Bucks had selected Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Most fans wouldn’t have even heard of this little-known teenager from Greece, but he’d win them over in some style.
Antetokounmpo won a title, a Finals MVP, two MVPs, and one DPOY in his 13 seasons with the Bucks. He ended their 50-year title drought in 2021, with an iconic 50-point game in the closeout Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
Antetokounmpo would also power the Bucks to NBA Cup glory in 2024, but that’s about the only bit of success the team has had since winning the championship. They missed the playoffs last season and had been eliminated in the first round in each of the three seasons prior to that.
It seemed almost inevitable that Antetokounmpo would leave this summer after all that. The 31-year-old had made it clear just how much he loves Milwaukee, but he also wants to compete for championships. That wasn’t going to be possible if he stayed.
So, the Bucks agreed to send Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (Nate Ament), unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2030, and a 2033 second-round pick. That’s a solid return, but no kind of package was going to ease the blow of his departure.
Bucks fans got emotional when speaking on the topic on Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin.
“I’m going to miss you,” Roberto Raeyna said. “I’m going to miss you like you just don’t know.”
“To me, he meant a lot,” Scott Zavadio said. “For the city, he meant a lot too.”
“Honestly, most fan bases don’t get to experience something like him,” Tom Schiffler said. “And again, just the impact that he and his family have had on this community is so much more than just sports-related. And I hope and think that will really be the legacy.”
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Antetokounmpo meant a lot to Milwaukee. Hopefully, he’ll return to the Bucks someday and finish his career there. That would be fitting.
As for this move to the Heat, not everyone is sold that it will bring Antetokounmpo the championship he seeks. They don’t look good enough to win it all, but free agency could change that. It will be very interesting to see who else the Heat manage to bring in over the coming weeks.
