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After six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Thanasis Antetokounmpo is leaving the NBA to sign a three-year contract with a club in his homeland. The move reunites him with brother Kostas at Aris B.C. and marks a clear shift in roster strategy around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thanasis returns to Greece to play with Kostas
Thanasis spent the past six years as a visible presence in Milwaukee, known for his energy in the locker room and his steady support of younger brother Giannis. He will now continue his career at Aris B.C., where the coaching staff includes a familiar Greek figure, national team head coach Vasilis Spanoulis.
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His arrival opens the possibility of sibling matchups in the Greek league. Another brother, Alex, plays for Promitheas Patras, so fans could see all three Antetokounmpo brothers on court in the same season.
Heat choose not to add any Antetokounmpo brothers
Miami, after completing the blockbuster acquisition of the two-time MVP, decided not to bring any of Giannis’s brothers onto their roster. That contrasts with Milwaukee’s recent approach, where a roster spot was often made available for a family member when healthy.
The Heat have prioritized perimeter shooting, bringing in veterans such as Klay Thompson to stretch the floor alongside Giannis. Those moves cost the team depth, leaving Miami active in the remainder of free agency. Still, the franchise is banking on coach Erik Spoelstra to integrate new pieces successfully.
Bucks shift focus toward youth and development
Milwaukee will begin the coming season without an Antetokounmpo on the roster and with a different mandate. The organization appears to be moving away from aggressive, win-now trades and toward player development and clearer evaluation of younger talent.
That change follows the 2023 playoff series in which the Bucks, relying heavily on veterans, were outpaced by the Indiana Pacers. The team’s average age has since fallen, and management is banking on a fresh core to grow into future roles.
Players to watch
- Brayden Burries — a recent draft pick who impressed in Summer League.
- Nate Ament — another rookie showing early promise.
- Kasparas Jakucionis and Bogoljub Markovic — potential rotation contributors.
- Kel’el Ware — a stretch big with notably high upside.
