After a quiet 2025 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly facing intensifying pressure to appease superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee entered the offseason with its future in turmoil. Several of its key players (Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr.) are primed for free agency. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo’s co-star, Damian Lillard, is expected to miss next season as he rehabs from a torn left Achilles sustained during the playoffs.
After only selecting at No. 47 in this year’s draft and with limited future draft capital, the Bucks’ chances of pulling off a sizeable win-now move appear minimal. However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, doing so may be necessary to stave off a trade request from their franchise player.
Shams Charania Hints Bucks May Need To Go All-In To Retain Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ahead of Milwaukee’s second-round selection on Thursday, Charania provided insight into Antetokounmpo’s thought process early in the offseason. Per the NBA insider, Antetokounmpo is taking a watchful approach amid questions surrounding his long-term commitment to the organization that drafted him in 2013.
“I’m told Giannis Antetokounmpo is closely observing the Bucks’ draft here tonight and then free agency next week,” Charania reported. “What moves can this organization make to elevate the team? They’ve got a bunch of free agents here: Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Brook Lopez, Kevin Porter Jr.
“Bucks general manager Jon Horst and his staff have been aggressive over the years, making creative moves time and time again. But this offseason, they’ve got one first-round pick, a few second-round picks to play with, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has been open-minded about his best fit moving forward. … He wants to compete for a second championship.”
“Giannis is closely observing the Bucks draft here tonight and then free agency next week.”
— Shams. 👀
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 27, 2025
Milwaukee is coming off a 48-win campaign, though with Lillard sidelined, it could be hard-pressed to secure another top-five Eastern Conference finish next season. With no incoming first-round prospect and no high-ceiling young talents on its roster, internal development appears out of the question.
The Bucks selected Serbian forward Bogoljub Marković at No. 47. While PFSN’s Brandon Austin graded the pick a B, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor was a bigger fan, giving it an A+ grade. O’Connor dubbed Marković a “high upside stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer.”
However, the analyst noted that “to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, he needs to add a ton of muscle, so he’d benefit from being draft-and-stashed for another year.”
As such, the 19-year-old doesn’t project to be a major factor in Antetokounmpo’s decision about his future. Instead, Milwaukee will likely have to get innovative on the trade market and in free agency as it seeks to retool in the depleted East.
