Through the first two games of the Bucks‘ first-round series vs. Indiana, Most Valuable Player finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo has put up absolutely massive numbers, including averages of 35.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per night on 65.1% shooting.
But he has gotten little help from his teammates in either game. Milwaukee has been outscored by 29 points when Antetokounmpo is on the floor and dropped both contests in Indiana. The Bucks are now heading back home facing a 2-0 deficit in the series.
In both 2023 and 2024, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the postseason without Antetokounmpo, who was unable to suit up due to injuries. With their star forward healthy and available this spring, the Bucks had higher expectations and haven’t given up on achieving them — the series is hardly out of reach if Milwaukee can defend its home court in Games 3 and 4.
However, the Pacers have looked like the better team so far, overwhelming the Bucks with their fast-paced offensive attack and creating a difficult hole for Milwaukee to climb out of.
Point guard Damian Lillard has only just returned from a month-long absence due to a blood clot in his calf and doesn’t look like he’s in peak form, while trade-deadline acquisition Kyle Kuzma hasn’t been particularly effective through two games, scoring just 12 total points on 5-of-15 shooting and grabbing three rebounds in 52 minutes of action.
As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted on the latest episode of his Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), a third consecutive first-round exit would be a disaster for the Bucks, who posted their lowest regular season winning percentage (.585) since 2017/18, have been a taxpaying team for several years, and no longer have the assets to pursue major roster upgrades. It would also lead to serious scrutiny of Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee.
“Giannis has been just awesome this season,” Windhorst said (hat tip to RealGM). “He has clearly understood that they’re challenged. And he has cut the BS out of his game and cut the fat out of his game and tried doing everything he can to carry this team, and they’re just not good enough. What is he supposed to do?
“This is the elephant in the room in the league right now. This team is losing tens of millions of dollars. They’re out all their draft picks. (Brook) Lopez and (Bobby) Portis are free agents.”
Windhorst’s ESPN colleague Tim MacMahon followed up by describing the Bucks’ future as “bleak” and suggesting that Antetokounmpo may have to decide soon whether he wants to be a player who spends his entire career with one franchise or if he wants to move to a situation where he’d have a better chance to compete for more titles while he’s still in his prime.
Even if the Bucks are eliminated by the Pacers in the coming days, that decision doesn’t necessarily need to be made this summer. Antetokounmpo remains under contract with the Bucks for at least two more years, with a player option on his contract for the 2027/28 season. And Windhorst stresses that there’s no indication the two-time MVP is looking for an exit ramp.
“From talking to people in and around Milwaukee, Giannis has given no indication throughout this entire season that he is not 100% focused on maximizing what the Bucks have,” Windhorst said. “This (speculation) is people in the league looking at the lay of the land, not anything that Giannis has said to anybody.”
Still, it’s not uncommon for situations like this one involving star players to reach a head well before the player reaches free agency. “This is what people in the league are talking about as they’re watching these series,” Windhorst added.
The Nets, armed with significant cap flexibility and a huge collection of extra first-round picks, have made no secret of the fact that they’re prepared to make a major push for Antetokounmpo if the Bucks are open to considering a trade — reports for the better part of a year have indicated he’s Brooklyn’s “Plan A.” But they’d have plenty of company if Giannis ever ends up on the trade block.
We want to know what you think. Can the Bucks come back and win this first-round series vs. the Pacers? If not, will this offseason represent a tipping point for Antetokounmpo’s future or will he remain committed to Milwaukee going forward?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts on the outlook for Giannis.
Chicago is that you.
Bucks in 6 is always the motto. Don’t let facts get in the way.
If Bucks decide to move on from Giannis, OKC might be a landing spot. They have young talent, and probably picks, that would be enticing to Milwaukee. OKC gets a guy who will keep them in the contender conversation for awhile. Giannis gets a better shot a title…Just throwing that out there as a conversation starter.
I have a question, in theory wouldn’t OKC have to reimagine their offense to make room for Giannis? OKC is wildly impressive offensively. In theory it gets you closer, in practice, it might take a season for the offense to fit together.
From the Bucks side, its all upside I assume they’d ask for Jalen Williams, settle for maybe Chet Holmgren, Lou Dort, Isiah Hartenstein (for salary) + and picks?
Just continuing the conversation……
I was going to add that I don’t know OKC that well. I was looking at mock drafts and see that OKC has the #15, #24 & #34 picks this year. Some sort of roster changes, or trades, would be needed fit them in.
Would it matter if OKC had to reimagine their offense? It’s Giannis. He’s going to finish in the top 4 of MVP balloting for his 7th consecutive season. He’s one of the all time greats. He’s the type of player any team would make adjustments for. He’d take pressure off Shaivonte so he wouldn’t have to carry the load offensively and Giannis certainly isn’t going hurt any team’s defense.
@ Giants74 @ Chucktoad1
I doubt OKC would trade for him. They’re way too good as they are.
Everyone needs to understand this
expiring contracts have little value next season
Example:
Rockets offer Jalen Green, Smith and Eason to Bucks for Giannis
Smith and Eason have expiring contracts
Jalen has almost expiring contract
Bucks are the smallest nba town.
With overpaid offers from big cities, All 3 players would walk for nothing = trade Giannis for nothing
I understand what you’re saying. Milwaukee will want some cap relief, but will also want players on long-term, team-friendly contracts, since they’re not a free agent destination.
Bucks problem is defense and players getting old fast. Lliard doesn’t fit the team and can’t stay healthy. They needed Holiday defense which was never replaced. They need to bring in better defense and a coach that pushes the older players. Doc has always had a problem of being too easy on vets.
If the Bucks have another early exit, Giannis will absolutely request a trade. Being he has been historically reported upon being very good friends with Steph Curry and GSW has plenty of tradeable young pieces that the Bucks actually COULD rebuild with (Kuminga, Moody, Podz) along with picks, Giannis could be on his way to GSW, who (at the deadline) just openly stated they want KD. Giannis is a better option than KD or Jimmy. If GSW can’t win a chip with Jimmy but then have the opportunity to trade for Giannis, they will.
what you describe is not like Giannis at all. you would know if you had heard him talk in his native language
Porzingis, jaylen brown and some picks…who hangs up first
This is nothing more than pure speculation by a group of jealous suitors. Who wouldn’t want a player of Giannis’s talents on their team? The better question is why a generational talent always has to be located in Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago? Turn off the green eyes. Giannis is not your typical star player.
Wisconsin is known for their dairy. I have a feeling this comment will age like milk…lol
Giannis isn’t going anywhere till this run with Dame is over. They just got Kuzma. Kuzma and Dame are signed for two more years. Problem with Bucks is every year there are injuries affecting them. At end of season and at playoffs. More bad luck than anything else. They will try and retool for these next two years. Then they will look to see about breaking it up. I don’t see a trade yet …….
Giannis is a loyal guy. He isn’t forcing his way out. This separation will be amicable when it happens.
You’re probably right, but Giannis has made a few veiled public comments that seemed like him putting pressure on the FO.
I think G has 3 games left with Mil…he’ll win one in an epic game at home and game 5 will be his last with Mil in INDY next Tuesday
Tricky trade, the incoming team must be good enough to immediately contend even after the package out for G
I only see 2 teams really capable to pull this off Hou and OKC
If OKC wins it all this year I think they would be stubborn and pass (mistake imo ) …….. They would still probably play along to at least have Hou bump up their offer as they would probably be the 2 best WC teams after and would want Hou depleted as much as possible
Mil hopes OKC doesn’t win and can have a straight up bidding war between the 2 teams to get max max value
@ Cap & Crunch
Giannis isn’t all that when you’ve got a much younger Chet Holmgren who can actually make free throws and threes. It doesn’t really matter that Giannis scores twice as much with OKC playing so well.
OKC is already one of the best rated teams of all time in a very strong west – I seriously doubt Presti would be interested in trading the assets he’d have to give up to get him.
I hear all that and you very well might be correct about Presti.
I think if they win it all this year they pass but if its me I’m making the call regardless and bringing him in –
Hartenstien would be moving out as part of the salary match and Chet can thrive alongside G
Daigneault is amazing and can make anything work
This is the dream for the small market teams that have been yelling at clouds about for 20 years.
But yea if I had to bet Okc or Hou id side Hou as I think they are more bold and willing…..but Mil needs Okc to at least play a part to get max value
OKC will have the best offer
Rockets would offer
Thompson
Sheppard
Jalen Green
Giannis made it clear when earlier this season after Lukas trade, he said that he wants to see the superstars go to the big markets.
I personally don’t think Giannis will be as good in any other franchise. he’ll lose the refs graciousness once he goes elsewhere, as they don’t call his incessant traveling only because its been known to be the entire bucks game plan (to get him downhill) for so many years now