Giannis Antetokounmpo officially closed the chapter on his historic 13-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, sharing an emotional farewell message after his blockbuster trade to the Miami Heat became official.
In a video posted across his social media platforms, Antetokounmpo sat down with longtime Bucks play-by-play announcer Jim Paschke to thank Milwaukee and reflect on the franchise that drafted him in 2013.
“I want you to hear it from my mouth: The city of Milwaukee will always be in my heart,” Antetokounmpo said. “This is my home. No matter where I am, Milwaukee will always be my city, my team, my family.”
The trade, agreed to last month and finalized Monday, sends Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft—which Milwaukee used to select forward Nate Ament—along with two future first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and a second-round selection.
Giannis Reflects on Milwaukee Legacy
Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee as the most accomplished player in franchise history. He finishes as the Bucks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, minutes played and triple-doubles, while delivering the organization’s first NBA championship in 50 years with its 2021 title run.
The two-time NBA MVP said he always identified with the city’s hardworking culture and hoped he represented Bucks fans throughout his tenure.
“I believe the city of Milwaukee is blue collar,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s people that work extremely hard every single day and give all their hard-earned money to come watch the Milwaukee Bucks. I showed up to work, did everything I was willing to do, all the dirty work, just like them. I hope bringing a trophy to this city meant something to them because it meant so much to me.”
The championship remains the defining moment of Antetokounmpo’s Bucks career, highlighted by his iconic 50-point performance in the title-clinching Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals.
Bucks, Heat Usher in New Era
The Bucks also honored Antetokounmpo following the completion of the trade, with general manager Jon Horst praising the superstar’s impact on the franchise and community.
“Since we drafted him in 2013, Giannis has transformed the Milwaukee Bucks in every way—on the court, in our locker room and throughout the community,” Horst said in a team statement. “Over 13 seasons, he became an extraordinary leader, teammate and representative of this city, and one of the defining players of his generation.”
Antetokounmpo will report to Miami in the coming days to begin the next phase of his career. Heat president Pat Riley described the acquisition as one of the most significant transactions in franchise history, adding that while parting with young talent was difficult, the opportunity to acquire one of the NBA’s elite players was impossible to pass up.
The move signals a new championship pursuit in Miami while bringing an end to one of the greatest player-franchise partnerships in NBA history.
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