The summer of 2027 is projected to be transformative for the NBA.
Several superstars become free agents during that period, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young.
Many teams are already prepared for the moment and assign cap flexibility to pursue elite talent.
The Lakers in Los Angeles are set to clear that summer cap. The Golden State Warriors are planning to do the same. And Miami’s heat is ready to make a big move during its historic summer.
The Milwaukee Bucks are not only keeping Giannis, but also preparing for 2027 to pair him with another former MVP.
NBA insider Sam Amick has revealed that Milwaukee has a real interest in pursuing Nicola Jokic along with the franchise’s cornerstone.
One reason for the Bucks’ ambitious plan is that Giannis feels he lacks enough roster support to compete for another championship.
Combine him with the Jokic and you will soon address those concerns while creating a dominant frontcourt combination.
“I was happy to have included the Joker in the column (20)27 because I struggled with the Bucks guys and they were tired of Giannis being alone,” Amic explained.
Usually, Jokic will extend his Denver’s Nuggets without hesitation.
However, his delayed expansion shows that multiple scenarios remain possible and create opportunities for other franchises.
Amick believes other teams, including the Lakers and Warriors, will also pursue Jokic, Giannis and Mitchell during their unprecedented, free agency period.
The potential availability of multiple superstars has influenced current roster building decisions across the league.
“Just because there’s no panic in Denver, that’s important to me. This hasn’t stopped some of these other teams from making decisions that are at least partially linked to (20)27 and the type of player that Joker could be one of them.”
“The Lakers and Clippers show they want freedom in 2027. The warriors are doing the same thing. It’s not just Giannis. It’s about the possibilities of Joker, the possibilities of Donovan,” he added.
For the Bucks to pair Giannis with Jokic well, they will need to strip the roster completely to create the required salary cap space.
Both superstars need to embrace financial sacrifices to make the partnership financially viable, and prioritize the success of the championship over the largest personal revenue.