It has been a season to forget for star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Not only did the team miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade, but it has been below par, ravaged by injuries (including to their Greek superstar), poor roster construction and growing internal tensions.
From recent emerging developments, the Bucks may find it hard to hold onto their two-time MVP, who appears to be ready to move on if situations don’t improve.
Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his thoughts crystal clear
Antetokounmpo has always been the main man for the Bucks throughout his career. He led them to their first championship in 50 years back in 2021. It was the climax of his time in Milwaukee. But ever since then, it felt like the franchise shut the door on him and has remained a one-man team ever since.
The best it did was bringing in Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, but that lasted only a couple of seasons. Lillard was traded back to Portland, where he had spent the first 11 seasons of his NBA career. It meant that Antetokounmpo was left alone yet again to carry all the load and it has left a toll on him
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts up a shot under the basket in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12)
Antetokounmpo opened up on his frustrations in an interview conducted by Lori Nickel from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“It’s hard. It’s really hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ll say this; At the end of the year, last year, I kind of played like that when Dame got hurt [with blood clots] in the calf. Anybody that thinks that without having a person next to you, to share that load, and to bounce off ideas and play — he does not know basketball… You have to have a guy. Like, the period that me and Dame was healthy, we won the NBA Cup.”
Milwaukee is dealing with troubling times
The Bucks were officially eliminated from postseason contention on March 28 after suffering a blowout 126-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
They were eliminated with a few games to spare, which snapped a nine-year playoff streak dating back to the 2016-17 season.
Antetokounmpo has played only 36 games, the lowest mark in his career which has reflected the Bucks’ position. The 31-year-old views it as disrespectful from public comments made by Bucks co-owner Wes Edens, who indicated that the Greek star would either sign an extension or be traded.
Antetokounmpo called the remarks “a slap” in the face.
His frustration is visible in the organization’s direction and commitment to building a winner around him. He has spent his entire career in Milwaukee since being drafted in 2013 and has become a subject of trade rumors. He has remained loyal to the franchise, but it appears his patience may have finally been tested.
Antetokounmpo will be one of the hottest names in circulation during the offseason as the Bucks are faced with uncertainty over his future. He is eligible for a supermax extension starting Oct. 1 as his current contract runs out at the end of next season with a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The Bucks want to eliminate the risk of losing him in free agency in 2027, so all indications suggest a trade may be on the cards this summer.
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