The NBA offseason loves a good fantasy. And nothing gets the trade machine buzzing like the idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee, that too, for the Spurs, arm-in-arm with Victor Wembanyama. But while Twitter maps out every wild hypothetical, reality quietly clapped back, straight from inside the Bucks’ own locker room.

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin revealed that he spoke to one of Giannis’ teammates this summer, and the sentiment was crystal clear: “Why would Giannis leave?” Eisen continued, “He has everything with that franchise he could ever ask for,” McMenamin said. “He has say so in when it comes to personnel decisions… coaching decisions… a chance to be a solo franchise guy like Dirk or Kobe.” Translation? Giannis isn’t chasing anything… because he’s already built it.

And for all the noise about the Bucks’ early exit or Damian Lillard’s Achilles, the logic holds that the East still has an easier path to contention. Why chase chaos in a 13-deep Western Conference dogfight when you’ve got full control, full support, and full legacy-building power in Milwaukee? “I wouldn’t anticipate [a trade],” McMenamin said. “I wouldn’t be shocked… but I think we’re not quite there yet.”

Those close to the team echo that calm. Head coach Doc Rivers has made it clear that this group, led by Giannis, gave him purpose again. “I love the group,” Rivers said. “Giannis is one of those like Kevin Garnett superstars—you can coach him hard but he’s fun to coach… that gave me life again. I needed that.”

And here’s the thing, people. Giannis isn’t just about muscle and hustle. He’s a student of the game. In another moment from Rivers, the coach revealed how Giannis and others would light up watching Steph Curry film, what he affectionately calls “coach’s p—.” The cut? “Giannis and a couple guys just love it. They’ll say it now to the bench, ‘Make sure that’s on the Merl—that’s coach’s porn.’” Rivers joked, noting that Giannis admires Curry’s selfless brilliance. Both are franchise-builders. Both stuck it out. And both made it work.

That’s what makes the 3Ls of Legacy, Loyalty, and Leverage so fitting, so to speak. Like Curry in Golden State, Giannis isn’t just playing for the Bucks. He himself is the Bucks. He’s taken pay cuts, shouldered the blame, delivered a title, and shaped a culture.

And let’s not forget that this is still a player averaging 33.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game this postseason before being eliminated by the now-Finals team, the Indiana Pacers. But he did it while wrestling through his and his team’s injuries. His presence alone turns Milwaukee from first-round flameout to championship contender. But of course, all of this introspection wouldn’t be so interesting if the alternative wasn’t so tempting.

Giannis isn’t going anywhere… yet

So what if Giannis, the Greek Freak, does head to San Antonio? What if he pairs up with Victor Wembanyama for real? It would immediately transform the Spurs from a developmental project into a title-contending juggernaut.

Giannis’ defensive versatility and championship poise next to Wemby’s generational skill set, who basically gave a new lifeline to the Spurs, would make them the NBA’s most fearsome frontcourt. From spacing to rim protection to transition terror, they’d be a matchup nightmare and a marketing dream. Because the NBA community sure does love a good contradiction!

And for Giannis? The move would allow him to remain in a small-market environment, but with a new challenge and generational talent beside him. It’s a fairytale idea, but so was Giannis winning an MVP title in Milwaukee. Until he did.

He stayed through rough seasons, through playoff heartbreaks, through coaching changes. He doubled down on a city many stars would’ve passed on. Now, as rumors swirl, the basketball world waits to see: Is this still Giannis’ kingdom? Or is a new chapter about to be written? For now, the Bucks are recalibrating. And the rest of the league is watching with calculators, draft picks, and a little hope tucked in their sleeves.