What started as a rough postseason exit might now snowball into the most seismic shift of the NBA offseason. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the same two-time MVP who’s been the face of the franchise for over a decade, may finally be eyeing the exit door.
And with league execs crowding into Chicago for the combine, the chatter’s gone from whispers to straight-up trade buzz. It’s getting loud. Really loud.
Milwaukee Bucks’ First-Round Exit Ignites Trade Talks
The Milwaukee Bucks thought they’d built enough firepower around Antetokounmpo to avoid another early vacation. But nope, after a five-game flop against the Indiana Pacers in Round 1, questions started bubbling up. What now? And more importantly, who’s still bought in?
Well, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo might be rethinking everything. He hasn’t outright demanded a trade yet. But sources say, for the first time ever, he’s open to the idea of leaving Milwaukee. That alone should send shivers down the spines of Bucks fans and front offices across the league.
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has not made any firm decisions, but for the first time in his career, he is open-minded about whether his best fit is remaining in Milwaukee – or playing elsewhere, league sources told ESPN.
Story on ESPN: https://t.co/2aTg3Bq8o3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Teams have always asked about Antetokounmpo; that’s not new. But now, with him reportedly listening, that changes everything.
Despite another monster season – 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists on 60% shooting – Milwaukee couldn’t stay afloat. Even with Antetokounmpo going nuclear in the playoffs, the Bucks looked out of sync and out of options.
And now, with the offseason looming and over $220 million spent in tax penalties since 2020, ownership has a decision to make. Keep throwing money at a roster that’s getting older and thinner, or brace for a possible reset.
Big Decisions Ahead in Milwaukee
Antetokounmpo has signed not one but two max extensions to stay, once in 2020 and again in 2023. He’s under contract through 2026-27, with a $62.8 million player option after that. However, that doesn’t mean much if he no longer sees a second ring on the horizon in Milwaukee.
Internally, the Bucks believe they have a little more wiggle room this summer. They’ve got a $14.1 million mid-level exception. And they’ve got some cap space, too. $23 million below the tax, $41 million under the second apron. But if they bring back 37-year-old Brook Lopez, spend the exception, and fill out the roster, they’ll be back in the tax for a sixth straight year.
That’s a heavy bill. And, if Antetokounmpo’s heart isn’t in it anymore, that’s an even heavier one.
League sources say the Bucks and Antetokounmpo’s camp will meet this summer to hash things out. But until then, all eyes are on the combine. Because the NBA offseason just got real interesting, and it all hinges on the next move from Milwaukee’s Greek Freak.
