Bucks Reportedly Remain 'Hopeful' Giannis Will Not Ask for Trade Despite NBA Rumors
The Milwaukee Bucks remain “hopeful” that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not request a trade this offseason following their third straight first-round playoff exit, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
"(Milwaukee) isn't going to entertain the prospect of trading its face of the franchise until it has to," Stein wrote.
Antetokounmpo has three years and $175.4 million left on his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, although he holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
The team acquired Damian Lillard in 2023 with second championship aspirations after falling in the Eastern Conference semifinals following their 2021 NBA title run. But since Lillard’s arrival, Milwaukee has failed to escape the first round, raising questions about the core’s long-term viability.
"Me not having a second championship -- I look back at my career and everybody can say, 'Oh, incredible career, active Hall of Famer, first ballot, whatever.' But me, my personal goal, if I am not able to help my team win a second ring, I'm letting down myself," Antetokounmpo said last month on the Thanalysis Show podcast with his brother, via ESPN.
Antetokounmpo, who turns 31 next season and is still playing at an MVP level, is reportedly “open-minded” about exploring options outside of Milwaukee, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Discussions between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo’s agents, Giorgios Panou and Alex Saratsis, are expected to take place this offseason.
With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching on June 25-26, all 30 teams are sure to keep a close eye on any developments surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future.
