Kendrick Perkins Strongly Defends Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Right to Desire a Trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is back in the spotlight after recent reports suggested that the Greek Freak was eyeing a move to New York over the summer. However, he remains in Milwaukee for now.

As far as demanding a trade is concerned, Kendrick Perkins, despite lambasting Giannis, feels the star center has earned the right to do so. Perkins hates the fact that Giannis, pretty much every summer, fires up the ‘will I stay, will I leave’ narrative with the Bucks, which puts the franchise in turmoil.

In a recent ESPN segment, Perk asked the former MVP to “grow some balls”. In short, he wants Giannis to be decisive and leave if at all that’s what he wants. That would also allow Milwaukee to get assets in return.

Giannis had said recently, “I’ve always wanted to be in Milwaukee, always wanted to represent the city, as long as we have the opportunity to win. And I feel like we have an opportunity to win.”

However, Perkins isn’t bitter. He feels that Giannis has done everything he possibly could with a small-market team like the Bucks. He played his heart out, made them the best in the league, and also won them a ring. So, no one in Milwaukee should think about denying the superstar a move away to a bigger-market side.

On the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins said, “No one should have a damn thing to say about it. If you’re a Milwaukee Bucks fan. What he has done for that city…” 

Perkins then compared Giannis to the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, both powerful people who have changed the franchises they’ve represented over the years. “How much money has he f****** brought to the city? When we go to Milwaukee now, it’s new restaurants, it’s basically, it’s a new downtown. It’s a new everything,” said Perkins.

Of course, no one can deny that Giannis put the city of Milwaukee on the map for sports fans around the world. That’s why Perkins believes the 30-year-old has boosted the city’s economy to such an extent that he shouldn’t have to bow down to fans’ demands anymore.

“Certain guys change the economy. Giannis has done that. He’s delivered the championship, he’s played his a** off every single night on that floor, gave it his all. MVP, Defensive Player of the Year awards, every single thing in the world,” Perkins stated.

The former Oklahoma City Thunder man further praised Giannis’ loyalty. However, he added that the Athens-native should have left two seasons ago. “So, no one should be mad,” concluded Perk.

As things stand, Giannis will begin the 2025–26 season with the Bucks. But as insider Shams Charania revealed last week, an eye has to be kept on his future. After all, big teams in the league, including the Knicks, have a shot at acquiring him by the time the trade deadline ends.