Marc Lasry Says Giannis' Future Was Factor in Selling Bucks Stake Amid NBA Rumors

Former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry divulged Wednesday that his decision to sell his stake in the team in 2023 was partially influenced by superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's unclear future with the organization.

Speaking to Front Office Sports, Lasry said cost was a factor in his decision, as was Antetokounmpo, adding: "The team was getting older and would Giannis stay?"

Lasry first became part owner of the Bucks in 2014, and shortly after watching Giannis lead the Bucks to the second championship in franchise history in 2021, he sold his 25 percent stake in the team to Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam.

Although there were questions about Giannis' loyalty to the Bucks in the past, he signed a five-year, $228.2 million extension in 2020, followed by a three-year, $175.37 million extension in 2023.

However, Antetokounmpo is only guaranteed to be under contract for two more seasons before a player option emerges for the 2027-28 campaign.

With Giannis leading the way, the Bucks have reached the playoffs in nine straight seasons, and he has been a dominant force individually with nine All-Star selections, two NBA MVP Awards and one NBA Finals MVP Award to his credit.

Playoff success has been hard to come by for Milwaukee since winning a championship, though, as the Bucks got knocked out in the second round in 2022, followed by three consecutive first-round exits.

In hopes of extending their championship window, the Bucks acquired superstar guard Damian Lillard in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers prior to the 2023-24 season.

Antetokounmpo missed the 2024 playoffs due to injuries, though, leading to a first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard then missed the start of the Bucks' first-round series against the Pacers in this year's playoffs, and he tore his Achilles in Game 4, putting his status for the 2025-26 season in question.

Indiana closed Milwaukee out in Game 5 on Tuesday, leading to plenty of commentary regarding the possibility of the Bucks' days as championship contenders being numbered.

Lillard could potentially miss all of next season and center Brook Lopez is set to hit free agency during the offseason and Bobby Portis has a player option, leaving the Bucks with a core of Giannis and Kyle Kuzma.

Unless Giannis is able to carry the team, that may not even be enough to reach the playoffs next season, so it could be time for both Giannis and the Bucks to consider their future.

Giannis is still a force at 30 years of age, so he figures to command a massive return on the trade market. That would perhaps be the best thing for the Bucks' future, but immediate interest in the Bucks would plummet, which may speak to Lasry having impeccable timing with regard to his decision to sell.