Bucks Reportedly Won't Trade Giannis, Will 'Aggressively' Look To Build Around Star

The Achilles injury that could sideline Damian Lillard for the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season reportedly won't change the Milwaukee Bucks' plans to build around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, "sources confirmed to ESPN that Milwaukee will be aggressively exploring options in free agency and trades to complement Antetokounmpo."

ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported in May that "Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere."

Antetokounmpo seemingly expressed a desire to return to Milwaukee in a recent interview with Brazilian outlet Coast to Coast, during which he said he hoped to be back in the NBA Finals "soon with the Bucks," according to a translation by Eurohoops.

Charania has stood by his initial statement on Antetokounmpo's status, although multiple reports have since indicated there is no expected trade on the immediate horizon.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst said last week on Get Up that there is "no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market," that Antetokounmpo had not asked for a trade, and that the Bucks "are not looking to trade him."

NBA insider Jake Fischer also indicated there is disbelief around the league that the Bucks will look to move their star player, and that NBA sources will believe Antetokounmpo is on the trade block "when they see it."

Meanwhile, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in May that the Bucks' pitch involves "selling Antetokounmpo on the idea of a so-called gap year that enables them to retool the team."

The Bucks' ability to retool in during this upcoming "gap year" will be limited by the more than $108 million owed to Antetokounmpo and the injured Lillard next season. Those salaries combine to make up 70 percent of the projected 2025-26 salary cap, according to Spotrac.

Adding in Kyle Kuzma's $23 million salary means the Bucks have already committed almost 85 percent of next season's cap to three players.

According to Marks, the Bucks still have a few paths to finding a temporary replacement for Lillard and retooling around Antetokounmpo next season. These include access to both the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the $5.1 million biannual exception, according to Marks.

The Bucks can also aggregate contracts in a trade as long as they don't cross the second apron.

Pending free agent Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, who has yet to commit to or decline his player option for next season, could potentially help Milwaukee facilitate larger deals by agreeing to a sign-and-trade, Marks added.

These avenues could help the Bucks maneuver despite limited cap room in order to encourage Antetokounmpo to stick around in Milwaukee long enough for Lillard to make his return.