According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the entire upcoming NBA offseason will be predicated upon Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision to either remain with the Milwaukee Bucks or request a trade.
Following the Bucks up-and-down season, their increasingly failing postseason run, and the recent Damian Lillard injury news, there has been an spike in speculation and reports surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks.
Despite him signing an extension with the organization after acquiring Lillard, his future with the Bucks is up in the air. Many are saying Milwaukee’s championship window is officially closing or closed, with no signs of them being able to reopen it.
Giannis has said repeatedly, publicly, that he wants to compete for another championship. He has always stressed the importance of remaining competitive.
“The question for the whole NBA is ‘what does Giannis do about it?'” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today. “Does Giannis indicate to the team he wants to stay put and remain a Buck going forward. Or does Giannis indicate he may want to look around? If the answer is B, the entire NBA offseason will hinge on it.”
With Brook Lopez being 37 years old, Lillard being 34 years old (with a recently torn Achilles), no control over their own picks, and not many young players to build around Giannis, the “Greek Freak” superstar may not see the Bucks as a destination to win anymore.
Some reports have disclosed either the Brooklyn Nets or New York Knicks as a team where he would want to join.
In the 2024-25 season, the 30-year-old averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 67 appearances.
