The Milwaukee Bucks appear to have successfully completed one of the NBA offseason’s most critical missions: keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Bucks jersey, at least for now.

After weeks of speculation and a flurry of rumours linking the two-time MVP to nearly every team with cap space and ambition, the Bucks have made moves that not only reshape their roster but also solidify their star’s future in Milwaukee, starting with a bold free agency move to sign center Myles Turner and the surprising decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard.

But it’s the most recent, quieter move that may have sealed the deal: the re-signing of Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Milwaukee finalized a deal to bring back Giannis’s older brother Thanasis for the upcoming season. While Thanasis doesn’t typically make headlines with his play, his presence on the roster has long been considered a crucial piece in Giannis’s comfort and loyalty to the franchise.

Giannis had reportedly been weighing his future this offseason, evaluating both Milwaukee’s competitiveness and long-term vision. The uncertainty left Bucks fans holding their breath and rival front offices preparing blockbuster offers. Teams like the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons were all believed to be monitoring the situation closely, ready to pounce if Giannis became available.

However, that door now seems firmly shut—at least for the upcoming season.

With Turner’s arrival adding interior defense and spacing, and the roster taking shape around younger, more athletic options following Lillard’s departure, the Bucks seem to have convinced their franchise cornerstone that they’re still serious about winning.

While the return of Thanasis is being seen as a symbolic confirmation of Giannis’s immediate future, long-term questions may still linger. The Bucks will need to perform on the court to ensure that Giannis remains committed beyond this season. But for now, the pairing of roster reinforcements and family ties has done the job.

With the Antetokounmpo brothers reunited in Milwaukee and the front office making bold roster calls, the Bucks head into the new season with their biggest star locked in and ready to chase another title, leaving rival teams and hopeful suitors back at square one.