Bucks' Taylor Jenkins Reveals Current Relationship With Giannis Antetokounmpo

When Taylor Jenkins accepted his new position as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, he did so with the understanding that Giannis Antetokounmpo might not be with the team this coming NBA season.

During Jenkins’ introductory press conference on Thursday, Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said the organization will make a decision regarding Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise sometime before the 2026 NBA draft.

Jenkins made an appearance with Sirius XM NBA Radio on Friday. And while Antetokounmpo’s future with the team is uncertain, it sure sounds like the two-time league MVP is making a point to make Jenkins feel welcome in Milwaukee.

“Giannis and I have a great relationship. Great communication so far. He’s been so welcoming to me,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins was an assistant coach for the Bucks for one season in 2018-19 before taking his first NBA head coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies.

“A lot of our communication has been about reestablishing that relationship,” Jenkins added. “Obviously I was in Milwaukee for only one year, so now it’s just kind of building on that respect that we’ve had for each other.”

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Jenkins added that there are “a lot of decisions looming” when it comes to Antetokounmpo.

“But [I’ve had] great communication, great respect, great relationship with Giannis so far. We’ll navigate it. We’ll figure it out,” Jenkins said.

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Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists through 36 games for the Bucks in 2025-26. He publicly called the organization “disrespectful” for holding him off the court through the final weeks of the season.

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 9:19 PM.