Giannis Antetokounmpo posts emotional Bucks tribute video

Bucks fans may shed a tear. 

After the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Heat became official Monday, the Greek Freak posted an emotional video to his social media accounts, thanking the Bucks and expressing his love for the city of Milwaukee. 

“I hope bringing a trophy to this city meant something to them because it meant so much to me,” Antetokounmpo said in the video. “I want you to hear it from my mouth: The city of Milwaukee will always be in my heart. This is my home.” 

“No matter where I am, Milwaukee will always be my city, my team, my family.” 

Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis were traded to the Heat June 22 in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis and the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which was Nate Ament. 

Antetokounmpo accomplished everything to his NBA resume in the green and white.

Two MVPs. An NBA title and Finals MVP in 2021. Ten All-Star selections. Seven All-NBA First Team selections. 

Despite missing the playoffs in his final season with the team, he cemented his legacy as one of greatest Bucks ever. 

“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. To come and feel something, to come be a part of us.

“I hope that I was able to represent them the best that I could. And I was like them. I showed up to work. Did everything that I was willing to do, all the dirty work, just like them.” 

With the trade, it’s clear the Bucks are ushering in a youth movement. 

But at the same time, Bucks general manager Jon Horst remained eternally grateful for the stability Antetokounmpo brought the organization. 

“Since we drafted him in 2013, Giannis had transformed the Milwaukee Bucks in every way – on the court, in our locker room and throughout the community,” Horst wrote in a statement to Bucks fans. “Over 13 seasons, he became an extraordinary leader, teammate and representative of this city, and one of the defining players of his generation.”

“The standard he set will continue here.”