The Milwaukee Bucks operated under the assumption that Giannis Antetocompo did not want to be traded this offseason, but one league insider still thinks he could ask.
The Milwaukee Bucks have become the subject of the most intense NBA trade rumours this summer after losing back-to-back first round of the playoffs in their third season.
The franchise’s cornerstone, Giannis Antetocomo, was expected to demand trade, although tired of the organization’s lack of success in recent seasons. Instead, he was silent about his future, so unconfirmed speculations roared.
To appease their stars, the Bucks abandoned the injured Damien Lillard and brought Miles Turner in as an upgrade to Brooke Lopez on the floor space.
Shams Charania thinks everyone is wrong.
It seemed the Bucks could step into the gas after the Bucks landed Turner for the next four seasons. After all, Giannis has made it clear for a long time that he is eager to win more than anything else. He would prefer to bring another banner to Milwaukee, but if he finds success elsewhere, that’s true.
Originally, Turner was expected to be a missing piece, but AntetoCompo stepped into a larger playmaking role in Lillard’s absence. However, Antetokounmpo has not yet made clear whether he is happy with the Bucks.
“A source says there is no set yet as to whether Giannis Antetocomo will be staying in Milwaukee or if he will leave,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said. “But the constant question that Giannis has is, “Can we win a championship with this roster? Will this roster be one of the 2026-27 this year?”
If Antetokounmpo demands trade, the Bucks are expected to fold into his desires, exceeding a significant share of interested suitors. Giannis is expected to acquire the largest trade package in NBA history, but Milwaukee cannot leave Scott Free.
The Bucks are owed $113 million to extend the rest of his contract over the next five seasons and not play for him when they abandoned Damian Lillard.
Bobby Bonilla will be proud.
Lillard was abandoned with explicit intention to make room for Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million contract with Milwaukee. The plan was that Antetokounmpo continued to rule while Turner replaced the aging Brook Lopez, fixed the paint and spaced the floor in the attack.
However, if he demanded trade, even the roster built around Turner could not compete, and the Bucks added a three-year payment to Lillard for virtually nothing.
Certainly Lillard has left Some The money on the table during the buyout had the Bucks known that Giannis would walk, they would probably have held the injured point guard biting a bullet.