Bucks Reportedly 'Prepared' to Enter Luxury Tax amid Giannis Trade Rumors Before FA

The Milwaukee Bucks don't intend to cut back on their spending too much as they try to reset the supporting cast around star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst.

"Sources said the franchise is prepared to once again enter the tax after spending more than $200 million in luxury tax alone over the past few seasons — more than every team but the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns since 2012, per Spotrac," Bontemps and Windhorst wrote.

"Rival teams suspect the Bucks will end up in the tax but keep their payroll below the $196 million first apron, which would open their ability to access more of the $14 million mid-level exception."

Beyond upgrading the supporting cast, general manager Jon Horst has to find a short-term replacement for Damian Lillard. The nine-time All-Star is recovering from a torn Achilles, which will cause him to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season.

Bontemps and Windhorst cited veteran guards Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon as potential targets with the mid-level exception.

Part of the bargain when having a generational talent such as Antetokounmpo is that ownership can't start to get frugal. The collective bargaining agreement requires a front office to spend more wisely, but stars are still going to react accordingly if they see the payroll noticeably decline.

The speculation over Giannis' future gives Milwaukee an added layer of pressure.

If the two-time MVP doesn't like what he's seeing in terms of investment, it stands to reason that could be the final push he needs to request a trade.

According to the ESPN report, Antetokounmpo is expected to stay in Milwaukee as things stand for now. As long as that remains the case, getting hit with a luxury tax bill is the cost of doing business.