For months, the Milwaukee Bucks have been debating what to do with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now the franchise is openly willing to discuss trade offers for the two-time MVP. According to ESPN, the team wants to decide whether to keep Antetokounmpo or trade him before the 2025 NBA Draft, which takes place on June 23-24. This decision has been brewing for a while, with no sudden fallout following a disappointing season. As early as last summer, Antetokounmpo himself hinted that he wouldn’t mind trying his luck elsewhere. The New York Knicks were mentioned as a potential destination, and the player even considered a move, but the Bucks opted to keep the roster intact at that time, hoping for success.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks’ 2023-24 season ended in disappointment: just 32 wins, missing the Play-In Tournament, and failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Given their recent success, this was particularly shocking—Milwaukee had been a model of consistency and one of the league’s most dominant teams in previous years. After winning the championship in 2021, the front office continued to push for immediate success, but each new move only limited the team’s flexibility. The acquisition of Damian Lillard was meant to keep the team competitive, but age, injuries, and a lack of depth quickly became major issues. The financial situation worsened as well—stretching Lillard’s payments to facilitate the trade for Myles Turner left the Bucks with little room to maneuver, all while results slumped and the roster underwent constant turnover.
U.S. media reports indicate that Antetokounmpo directly told the front office this season that he is open to a trade. Over time, the relationship between him and the organization has deteriorated. One of the key incidents was the NBA’s investigation into the Bucks’ decision to shut down Antetokounmpo early due to his knee condition. The league viewed this as a red flag signaling dysfunction within the team. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is trying to hold a strong negotiating position and expects to receive either a young, high-upside player or a package of draft picks in return for its superstar.
Many teams are expected to vie for Antetokounmpo—potential suitors already named include the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. These same teams had interest in the forward before the February trade deadline.
The central question now is how Giannis sees his own future. His contract with Milwaukee is only guaranteed for one more season, and then it will be up to him to decide whether to stay long-term. Any team hoping to trade for Antetokounmpo must first determine if he is willing to sign a new multi-year extension. For that reason, league insiders believe that only teams Giannis himself would consider have a realistic chance. Meanwhile, the Bucks haven’t given up hope of retaining their star: they recently changed head coaches, signing Taylor Jenkins to a long-term deal, and are exploring trades involving draft picks, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma.
Most observers around the league see the current situation as the beginning of the end. Antetokounmpo has spent all 13 seasons of his career in Milwaukee, leading the team to its 2021 title and ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders in nearly every statistical category. For the first time, there is a real possibility that his tenure with the Bucks could end this summer.