Giannis Reportedly 'Closely Observing' Bucks Draft, Free Agency amid Trade Rumors
Giannis Antetokounmpo is keeping an eye on the Milwaukee Bucks' approach to the 2025 draft as he decides on his NBA future, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
"I'm told Giannis Antetokounmpo is closely observing the Bucks' draft here tonight and then free agency next week and what moves can this organization make to elevate the team," Charania said Thursday on ESPN's NBA draft broadcast.
Charania continued, "Giannis Antetokounmpo has been open-minded about the best fit moving forward. He spent 12 years there, there's a level of of equity there that he has there in Milwaukee, but he has said publicly he wants to compete for a second championship, so what moves can the Bucks make in the coming weeks?"
The Bucks selected big man Bogoljub Marković, who currently plays professionally in Serbia, with the No. 47 pick on Thursday night.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman described Marković as a "6'11" forward with the offensive versatility to shoot threes, score from the post, handle in transition and pass."
ESPN's Jonathan Givony noted that Marković will likely continue playing in Serbia next season.
Charania reported back in May that Antetokounmpo is "is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere" for the first time in his career.
If the Bucks are looking to convince Antetokounmpo that they can become competitive in the short term, they will need to make more offseason moves to prepare for the loss of Damian Lillard amid his recovery from Achilles surgery.
Those moves will be difficult given the Bucks' salary-cap position and lack of draft capital. The franchise already owes more than 87 percent of the projected 2025-26 cap to Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Kyle Kuzma, per Spotrac.
To make the situation more difficult, the Bucks only held the No. 47 pick in the 2025 draft, and they don't have control over a first-round draft pick until 2031.
ESPN's Bobby Marks reported earlier this month that "sources confirmed to ESPN that Milwaukee will be aggressively exploring options in free agency and trades to complement Antetokounmpo."
How the Bucks manage trades and free agency in the months leading up to the start of the 2025-26 season could potentially impact whether Antetokounmpo considers seeking a trade to a team he believes can compete for a title in the near future.
