After stating during multiple television appearances this week that a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade appears unlikely to happen in the short term, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reiterated that point on Friday in a an ESPN.com story co-authored by Tim Bontemps.
At the moment, Windhorst and Bontemps say, the expectation around the NBA is that Antetokounmpo will still be in Milwaukee by the time the 2025/26 season tips off.
However, the ESPN duo stresses that’s just where things stand as of today. It doesn’t necessarily mean the situation won’t change at some point this offseason, since there’s no indication Antetokounmpo has definitively told the Bucks that he’s staying. It remains possible he could request a change of scenery later in the summer if he decides he’s not thrilled with the team’s direction.
For now though, the Bucks aren’t listening to trade inquiries on Antetokounmpo and aren’t expected to make any deal involving the two-time MVP in the short term.
Here’s more on the Bucks from Windhorst and Bontemps:
- In meetings since the Bucks’ season ended, general manager Jon Horst and head coach Doc Rivers have presented plans to keep the core of the roster intact around Antetokounmpo, per ESPN. Milwaukee went 10-4 without Damian Lillard in March and April and is optimistic about its ability to contend for a top-six playoff spot until he’s ready to return, which the club hopes will happen before the end of the 2025/26 season, as Windhorst and Bontemps explain.
- Personnel around the NBA are curious about the Bucks’ appetite to be a taxpayer in ’25/26 after paying substantial penalties in recent years, according to Windhorst and Bontemps, who hear from sources that the team is indeed prepared to operate above the tax line again. It would be difficult for the Bucks to retain free agent big men Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis without surpassing that threshold, ESPN’s duo notes.
- While Milwaukee may be a taxpayer again next season, rival teams think the Bucks will look to operate below the first tax apron, giving them access to at least part of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The team may need that MLE to sign a free agent point guard to step in for Lillard. According to Windhorst and Bontemps, Dennis Schröder, Tyus Jones, and Malcolm Brogdon are a few names to watch.
Only thing that is certain is a trade to lakers, clippers or warriors doesn’t make a lick of sense for the bucks ! Those teams can’t help their present or their future ! It he’s traded they should hope he wants to go to a Texas team
Agree with that all 3 of those teams do not have teh assets to satisfy Bucks. If Bucks trade Giannis its for a rebuild so they will need young players and first round draft picks.
OKC makes the most sense. They can give up players and picks for Giannis and not have to worry about the future. Besides, OKC has a better shot at the Finals then the Texas teams.
OKC not interested in KD because their payroll plan is carefully constructed to sign Williams and Holmgren to big rookie extensions (on top of SGA), and KD’s huge contract prevents that.
OKC has figured out how to have the best roster in the NBA for the next six seasons without paying any luxury tax. KD doesn’t fit.
He’s content with his 1 chip. Every player doesn’t wanna win multiple, some are fine with one and done like he and Dirk.
Dirk was by unfortunate design of Cuban of not keeping Chandler after the finals run. I think if that team was given a chance to run it back and add some pieces, they could have been still in contention by 2013 the latest.
Bucks team is not deep in talent. Then they have two rotation players that are FAs. Cannaughton and Portis have one more year left. All their money is tied up in two players. Giannis and Dame are owed 116 mill next year. Bucks don’t have a 1st rd pick this year. 2026 Pels have the right to swap, no 2nd rd pick. 2027, 28, 29,30 They don’t control their 1st rd picks. And have zero 2nd rd picks. Not till 2031 do they have control of all their picks.
Soooooooooooo ———. Why wouldn’t they trade Giannis now. You think Dame is coming back to save the DAY. Bucks don’t have the assets or picks. To surround their stars with enough talent to get out of second round. Makes no basketball sense for Bucks to keep Giannis. Or for Giannis to want to stay.
Bucks can literally rebuild this team at the draft. Getting good young talent and picks. From either Spurs or Rockets. Both have the goods to get it done. Then Bucks can move on. Still make the playoffs with a young and new team. Then decide if they want to move Dame. An expiring contract.
Bucks will never have a better chance at major assets in a Giannis trade …. Time to move Giannis.
Spurs — #2 pick = D Harper, D Vassell, J Sochan, H Barnes, #14 pick 2025. Or it can be a future pick
Rockets — #10 pick (Queen or Jakucionis), J Green, J Smith Jr, C Whitmore, plus a future pick
Both teams have favorable future picks coming.
Both these trades still make Bucks a playoff team. Yet they are rebuilt for the future. And now have draft capital coming also. By trade deadline these same you g players may not be available. Cause their value can go up.,,, UP
Personally I take Rockets offer. I like Green and Smith. Two future stars imo.
Way more picks would be needed
Oh Aristotle…How are privy to the internal conversations that the OKC FO is having regarding the off-season and the next 6 seasons? Your speculation about what OKC is going to do is as good as mine. Nobody knows until it actually happens. All these reports are generally wrong.
aristotle has access to any Front Office brass are thinking. Legend even say he is a mind reader.