Thanasis Antetokounmpo Returns to the NBA After Signing New Deal in Milwaukee

Over the years, many have claimed that Thanasis Antetokounmpo only has a role in the NBA because of his superstar brother, Giannis. For five straight seasons in Milwaukee, Thanasis rode the bench and played sparing minutes, becoming a key piece of the team's locker room morale and the bench.

However, in 2024/25, he was unable to play anywhere after suffering a torn achilles injury, but ahead of the new season, he's found a home in the NBA. Unsurprisingly, that home is right back with his brother in Milwaukee, as Thanasis will once again become the No. 11 or 12 guy in the Bucks rotation, playing sparing minutes in blowouts or stepping up when injuries occur.

According to Thanasis, it was his game against Italy for Greece and EuroBasket that got him the role with Milwaukee again, as he was playing great defense and playing perfectly in his role.

“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.”

In his last NBA season in 2023/24, Antetokounmpo appeared in 34 games for the Bucks, averaging 1 point, and 1 assist per game in five minutes played, but it's his value to the depth and locker room that is valued most. Now, he's back with his brother in Milwaukee, and with the other changes the Bucks have made this off-season, there's reason for this organization to be optimistic heading into 2025/26 in the wide open Eastern Conference.