Thanasis Antetokounmpo Unveils Surprising Factor Behind Bucks’ Decision to Re-Sign Him

So, the Milwaukee Bucks have decided to bring Thanasis Antetokounmpo back for another go-around, and you might be scratching your head wondering why. Is it his stellar EuroBasket defense that caught their eye, or is there a bit more beneath the surface? Thanasis himself credits his lockdown play for the nod, but let’s be honest—his numbers last season were hardly jaw-dropping. Maybe the Bucks see him as more than just stats on a sheet—they see a vital piece of locker room chemistry and, quite frankly, a clever move to keep Giannis smiling and locked into Milwaukee. Because let’s face it: in the high-stakes game of NBA roster building, sometimes the best play isn’t on the scoreboard but in the family ties that bind. Curious how this all shakes out? You’re not alone.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been busy this offseason, attempting to make moves that will allow them to take advantage of the transformed Eastern Conference in 2025-26.

They recently made some headlines when they signed Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a one-year deal.

There is a lot of speculation about why the Bucks made this choice, but Antetokounmpo believes it’s because of the work he’s done during the EuroBasket tournament so far.

“They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role,” Antetokounmpo said.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo says his performance in EuroBasket played a role in the Bucks re-signing him

“They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role.”

(Via @Eurohoopsnet ) pic.twitter.com/sO7NpXev99

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 1, 2025

Antetokounmpo is representing his home country of Greece at EuroBasket, and he claims that Milwaukee’s front office has been paying close attention and loves what they see from him.

However, others believe there is more to the story.

Thanasis averaged 0.9 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists during his last season with the Bucks in 2023-24.

He played in 34 games and was only on the court for 4.6 minutes a night.

He obviously wasn’t a hugely consequential player, but still holds a special place in the Bucks’ locker room.

That’s partly because of the close relationship he has with his brother Giannis.

Giannis loves performing alongside Thanasis and is definitely elated about this latest news.

It’s no secret that the Bucks are desperate to keep Giannis in Milwaukee, and signing his brother could help them achieve that goal.

Thanasis likely won’t do much in the new season, but he will boost team morale, and he will keep his brother happy.

For the Bucks, that means he could be worth every single penny.

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