Giannis Antetokounmpo has spent 12 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, winning two MVPs and delivering the franchise a long-awaited championship in 2021. But recent seasons have brought little postseason success, and growing speculation about his future.
While most believe he’s likely to stay, there’s still no firm commitment. And as the NBA heads into the heart of the offseason, that uncertainty is back under the spotlight.
Bucks Face Critical Pressure to Surround Giannis Antetokounmpo With Championship-Caliber Talent
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania said on a recent episode of “The Pat McAfee Show” that while the Bucks remain confident in Antetokounmpo’s loyalty, nothing is set in stone.
“One thing I do know is Giannis Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring what’s the best fit for him,” Charania said. “Is it in Milwaukee? This process also includes seeing what that team does. What does Milwaukee do? He owes it to them. They owe it to him. They have one first-round pick they can play with, they have a few second-round picks they can play with. Let’s see if this can get done.”
The Bucks’ recent early playoff exits haven’t helped ease tensions. Milwaukee has been bounced in the first round for three consecutive years, despite having an All-NBA duo in Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Injuries and roster construction have played a role, but Antetokounmpo has been public about his desire to win now and win big. His current contract runs through 2027, with a player option for the final season, but that hasn’t stopped questions from swirling.
Charania was the first to report that while he didn’t outright request a trade, Antetokounmpo would explore options.
Milwaukee faces serious pressure to improve the roster this summer. They’re short on tradeable assets, with only one first-round pick and limited flexibility due to the cap. But Charania suggested that what happens in the next few weeks will be pivotal.
“We have this draft period here. We have the agency period coming up next week,” he said. “What can the Bucks do to elevate this team and surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with the players? He’s been there for 12 years. I think he owes them that. They owe him that.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers has maintained that Antetokounmpo is committed to Milwaukee, and for good reason — he’s already signed two extensions with the team, both quietly and without warning.
But as Charania noted, that doesn’t necessarily mean Antetokounmpo won’t evaluate his situation soon. “This is someone that always keeps things close to the vest. I’m sure there are conversations going on right now that we don’t even know about.”
Damien Lillard’s Injury Compounds Milwaukee’s Championship Window Concerns
The Bucks are reportedly exploring options to improve around the edges. They’ll need to make key decisions on veterans like Brook Lopez, Gary Trent Jr., and Bobby Portis, while hoping for a healthy Lillard return from his torn Achilles tendon suffered during the playoffs.
But if those moves don’t signal a clear path back to contention, Charania hinted that Antetokounmpo may start seriously weighing a future elsewhere. “After two, three weeks into July, [Antetokounmpo] will then have to figure out … ‘is this team I’m on right now a championship contender because that’s what I want out of my future’.”
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Antetokounmpo is coming off one of his most efficient seasons yet, averaging 30.4 points on 60.1% shooting, along with 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists. That level of production makes him one of the league’s most valuable stars, and potentially the most seismic trade chip if he ever asks out.
The franchise faces a critical juncture where it must prove it can build a championship-caliber roster around its superstar. With limited assets and an aging supporting cast, the pressure is mounting for Milwaukee’s front office to find creative solutions that satisfy Antetokounmpo’s championship aspirations while he remains in his prime.
