NBA Insiders Reportedly Expect Giannis to Make Decision on Bucks Future in Late Summer

One of the biggest questions this offseason is whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, but he might not make up his mind for a while.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne said on NBA Today on Wednesday that Antetokounmpo might not decide whether to request a trade until as late as September.

"My sense is, just from conversations around the league, I don't think anything will be decided on his end until August, September," Shelburne said. "Whether he goes or stays, that kind of decision doesn't come until late in the summer."

After the Bucks' season ended in May, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo "has not made any firm decisions on his Bucks future" but was "open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere."

There was some speculation that Antetokounmpo could be traded before the draft, but it now appears that he wants to see how the offseason unfolds before deciding whether to officially request a trade or stay put in Milwaukee.

The Bucks will likely have to build a roster capable of contending to appease their star. Charania reported last week that Antetokounmpo "is closely observing" what the team is doing in free agency and on the trade market.

Charania noted that Milwaukee re-signing Bobby Portis was a "big step" and that Portis "is one player that [Antetokounmpo] definitely wanted to see back with him." Milwaukee also added former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million contract.

While those moves might have helped the Bucks' chances of keeping Antetokounmpo, one move could have hurt their chances. To sign Turner, the Bucks waived Damian Lillard after the star point guard suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Antetokounmpo "is not pleased" with that decision.

Antetokounmpo, who has been with the Bucks his entire career, would presumably like to stay in Milwaukee, but he's reportedly evaluating what direction the team is going in before making that decision.

If he decides it's time to move on and request a trade, plenty of teams will be vying to get the perennial MVP candidate on their roster.