Jamal CollierDec 18, 2025, 08:04 PM ETCloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.
“At the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I’m still locked in, locked in on my teammates, most importantly locked in on me getting back healthy.”
Thursday was the first time Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined since Dec. 3 with a right calf strain, addressed an ESPN report from the same day that he is mulling his future with the Bucks. Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo and his agent are discussing whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere.
“I think they understand the deal, but you’ve just got to give urgency to the team,” he said. “Like guys, this is serious…we’ve got to turn this around. We have time, but you’ve got to have a little bit more urgency.
Despite the Bucks’ fall in the standings, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have aligned that he is going to take his time to make sure he makes a full recovery. He admitted Thursday that he believes a quick return from the groin injury he suffered in November helped lead to the calf injury.
“As a leader of this team, when we are competing you feel like if you’re not out there to help your team you’re not giving your team the best chance,” Antetokounmpo said. “You kind of feel like it’s your fault. And instead of taking the appropriate time you kind of get back and rush things.”
CloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.