Giannis Thread - 13th Season with the Bucks

[Plossum]

Seeing so much Jrue stuff, I have zero interest in bringing back Jrue on his current deal. The dude is going to make $35 mil/yr for 3 more years after this in his age 35-37 seasons when he's already showing significant decline in just the past two. We are not in a position to pay that kind of money to a 5th option guy nor is our team as talented Boston's to even put him in that type of role.

When was that Giannis meeting supposed to happen again?

Jrue’s contract is that bad it’d make more sense to just ride out the Pat and Kooz deals.

[jakecronus8]

Team X doesn't work for me. Why wouldn't NO cut Milwaukee out of the deal and just work with Charlotte directly while keeping our picks if that package was available?

Spurs get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

-Gives: Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, 2nd Overall Pick, 14th Overall Pick, 2027 Unprotected Hawks 1st, 2029 Unprotected Spurs 1st and 3031 Earlier of Kings/Spurs 1st

Bucks get:
Trey Murphy III
Jeremy Sochan
Tidjane Salaun
Josh Green
4th Overall
7th Overall
2026 Bucks Pick Swap Returned
2027 Unprotected Milwaukee Bucks First Round Draft Pick Returned
2027 Unprotected Atlanta Hawks First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hornets get:
Zion Williamson

-Gives: Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Josh Green and 4th Overall Pick

Pelicans get:
Stephon Castle
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Grant Williams
2nd Overall Draft Pick
14th Overall Draft Pick
2029 Unprotected San Antonio Spurs First Round Draft Pick
Earlier of 2031 Kings/Spurs First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, 7th Overall Pick, 2026 Bucks Swap Returned and 2027 Unprotected Bucks 1st

Does that make it better?

In this scenario we would just take the Spurs deal if Castle/#2/#14/ATL picks are being offered.

I like the OP’s package better than the spurs package to be honest. I like Edgecombe as the #2 guy in this draft and if you can get him at 4 that’s much better along with 7 and your picks back. I’d probably try to move Murphy to the highest bidder and go full tank.

[brewbucks]

Seeing so much Jrue stuff, I have zero interest in bringing back Jrue on his current deal. The dude is going to make $35 mil/yr for 3 more years after this in his age 35-37 seasons when he's already showing significant decline in just the past two. We are not in a position to pay that kind of money to a 5th option guy nor is our team as talented Boston's to even put him in that type of role.

When was that Giannis meeting supposed to happen again?

Yeah we don’t need to get older.

[NYG]

Spurs get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

-Gives: Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, 2nd Overall Pick, 14th Overall Pick, 2027 Unprotected Hawks 1st, 2029 Unprotected Spurs 1st and 3031 Earlier of Kings/Spurs 1st

Bucks get:
Trey Murphy III
Jeremy Sochan
Tidjane Salaun
Josh Green
4th Overall
7th Overall
2026 Bucks Pick Swap Returned
2027 Unprotected Milwaukee Bucks First Round Draft Pick Returned
2027 Unprotected Atlanta Hawks First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hornets get:
Zion Williamson

-Gives: Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Josh Green and 4th Overall Pick

Pelicans get:
Stephon Castle
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Grant Williams
2nd Overall Draft Pick
14th Overall Draft Pick
2029 Unprotected San Antonio Spurs First Round Draft Pick
Earlier of 2031 Kings/Spurs First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, 7th Overall Pick, 2026 Bucks Swap Returned and 2027 Unprotected Bucks 1st

Does that make it better?

In this scenario we would just take the Spurs deal if Castle/#2/#14/ATL picks are being offered.

I like the OP’s package better than the spurs package to be honest. I like Edgecombe as the #2 guy in this draft and if you can get him at 4 that’s much better along with 7 and your picks back. I’d probably try to move Murphy to the highest bidder and go full tank.

Just take Murphy out even and take some of the Spurs stuff from the Pelicans instead?

[RiotPunch]

Spurs get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

-Gives: Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, 2nd Overall Pick, 14th Overall Pick, 2027 Unprotected Hawks 1st, 2029 Unprotected Spurs 1st and 3031 Earlier of Kings/Spurs 1st

Bucks get:
Trey Murphy III
Jeremy Sochan
Tidjane Salaun
Josh Green
4th Overall
7th Overall
2026 Bucks Pick Swap Returned
2027 Unprotected Milwaukee Bucks First Round Draft Pick Returned
2027 Unprotected Atlanta Hawks First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hornets get:
Zion Williamson

-Gives: Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Josh Green and 4th Overall Pick

Pelicans get:
Stephon Castle
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Grant Williams
2nd Overall Draft Pick
14th Overall Draft Pick
2029 Unprotected San Antonio Spurs First Round Draft Pick
Earlier of 2031 Kings/Spurs First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, 7th Overall Pick, 2026 Bucks Swap Returned and 2027 Unprotected Bucks 1st

Does that make it better?

In this scenario we would just take the Spurs deal if Castle/#2/#14/ATL picks are being offered.

I like the OP’s package better than the spurs package to be honest. I like Edgecombe as the #2 guy in this draft and if you can get him at 4 that’s much better along with 7 and your picks back. I’d probably try to move Murphy to the highest bidder and go full tank.

Here I thought I was high on Edgecombe.

[jakecronus8]

In this scenario we would just take the Spurs deal if Castle/#2/#14/ATL picks are being offered.

I like the OP’s package better than the spurs package to be honest. I like Edgecombe as the #2 guy in this draft and if you can get him at 4 that’s much better along with 7 and your picks back. I’d probably try to move Murphy to the highest bidder and go full tank.

Here I thought I was high on Edgecombe.

The fact that he’s not consensus #2 guy in this draft is making me crazy.

[RiotPunch]

I like the OP’s package better than the spurs package to be honest. I like Edgecombe as the #2 guy in this draft and if you can get him at 4 that’s much better along with 7 and your picks back. I’d probably try to move Murphy to the highest bidder and go full tank.

Here I thought I was high on Edgecombe.

The fact that he’s not consensus #2 guy in this draft is making me crazy.

I would for sure take him over Ace, but have Dylan a notch above him.

[DingleJerry]

The east is up for grabs, I don’t see it being that hard to put together a dark horse roster that can keep Giannis happy until we can make a bigger splash in 2026-27. The 2025-26 should just be the Giannis centric try to overachieve year in the weaker conference. Is that really that hard of a sell to Giannis? Even if you don’t 100% believe that he’s still fully committed and loyal to the Bucks, you don’t think he could see that as a viable plan to just stay put and keep working?

I’m wondering how many Bucks fans are at the point now that they’ve talked themselves so deep down the rabbit hole of these loser trades that they’ll actually express frustration and disappointment if/when Giannis says he’s not going anywhere?

I'd be shocked if that's not the teams plan/hope. And I'd expect 90% of posters here to feel the same.

This is purely a discussion on IF Giannis forces their hand and does ask for a trade.

How can Giannis force the Bucks hand? He can “request” a trade and we can deny that request based off the return value clearly not being met. Then what happens? Giannis bitches and moans? Giannis doesn’t play to the best of his ability in spite of the organization? He requests that his request is met? His leverage is based off good faith by the franchise and that’s a 2 way street. None of these trade rumors or proposals are even in the realm of consideration when he’s under contract 2 more seasons..

I mean, have you not been watching the NBA the last 15 years? It happens all the time. This would be no different

[tedbrogen]

Horrible.

Team X doesn't work for me. Why wouldn't NO cut Milwaukee out of the deal and just work with Charlotte directly while keeping our picks if that package was available?

Spurs get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

-Gives: Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, 2nd Overall Pick, 14th Overall Pick, 2027 Unprotected Hawks 1st, 2029 Unprotected Spurs 1st and 3031 Earlier of Kings/Spurs 1st

Bucks get:
Trey Murphy III
Jeremy Sochan
Tidjane Salaun
Josh Green
4th Overall
7th Overall
2026 Bucks Pick Swap Returned
2027 Unprotected Milwaukee Bucks First Round Draft Pick Returned
2027 Unprotected Atlanta Hawks First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hornets get:
Zion Williamson

-Gives: Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Josh Green and 4th Overall Pick

Pelicans get:
Stephon Castle
Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Grant Williams
2nd Overall Draft Pick
14th Overall Draft Pick
2029 Unprotected San Antonio Spurs First Round Draft Pick
Earlier of 2031 Kings/Spurs First Round Draft Pick

-Gives: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, 7th Overall Pick, 2026 Bucks Swap Returned and 2027 Unprotected Bucks 1st

Does that make it better?

Bucks should just do the deal with the Spurs, draft Harper, then take Keldon and Barner to the Pels and take Murray’s contract off their hands to get the Bucks picks back. Pels can do a separate deal with Hornets.

[tedbrogen]

Seeing so much Jrue stuff, I have zero interest in bringing back Jrue on his current deal. The dude is going to make $35 mil/yr for 3 more years after this in his age 35-37 seasons when he's already showing significant decline in just the past two. We are not in a position to pay that kind of money to a 5th option guy nor is our team as talented Boston's to even put him in that type of role.

When was that Giannis meeting supposed to happen again?

Jrue’s contract is that bad it’d make more sense to just ride out the Pat and Kooz deals.

Not unless Giannis is cool with two first round exits as that’s your absolute ceiling if Kuz is in the rotation. He’s literally one of the worst fits possible with Giannis due to his subpar shooting and super low IQ.

[Plossum]

Seeing so much Jrue stuff, I have zero interest in bringing back Jrue on his current deal. The dude is going to make $35 mil/yr for 3 more years after this in his age 35-37 seasons when he's already showing significant decline in just the past two. We are not in a position to pay that kind of money to a 5th option guy nor is our team as talented Boston's to even put him in that type of role.

When was that Giannis meeting supposed to happen again?

Jrue’s contract is that bad it’d make more sense to just ride out the Pat and Kooz deals.

Not unless Giannis is cool with two first round exits as that’s your absolute ceiling if Kuz is in the rotation. He’s literally one of the worst fits possible with Giannis due to his subpar shooting and super low IQ.

Do you really think it’d be better with Jrue in the lineup instead? I’ll give you this: it won’t be worse but doesn’t really move the needle either.

Kooz and Pat are owed a combined $60m. Jrue is owed $104m. I love Jrue but it’s a no brainer we don’t take on that deal he’s on.

[ShootingtheJ]

Seeing so much Jrue stuff, I have zero interest in bringing back Jrue on his current deal. The dude is going to make $35 mil/yr for 3 more years after this in his age 35-37 seasons when he's already showing significant decline in just the past two. We are not in a position to pay that kind of money to a 5th option guy nor is our team as talented Boston's to even put him in that type of role.

When was that Giannis meeting supposed to happen again?

Jrue’s contract is that bad it’d make more sense to just ride out the Pat and Kooz deals.

Luckily it's not an either/or situation. We can avoid Jrue and likely deal Kuzma.

[landoc88]

So do we here anything on the meeting today?

[Crew2323]

So do we here anything on the meeting today?

Does this count from Jim O in today's article from JSOnline?

By the time the NBA Combine ended on May 18, Antetokounmpo had some conversations with organizational leadership about the future of the team and remained happy in Milwaukee with no real intent to leave, and therefore no trade request had been made. In all his years, he has never requested a trade, even though he has regularly applied pressure on the team to keep upgrading to the roster.

Longtime NBA reporter Chris Haynes said Antetokounmpo was going to meet with Horst the week of May 19 for one of their annual offseason conversations about the direction of the team. Other conversations have typically occurred in the summer months.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/05/22/is-giannis-getting-traded-damian-lillard-future-milwaukee-bucks-reader-questions/83721971007/

[MuckyFingers]

So do we here anything on the meeting today?

Does this count from Jim O in today's article from JSOnline?

By the time the NBA Combine ended on May 18, Antetokounmpo had some conversations with organizational leadership about the future of the team and remained happy in Milwaukee with no real intent to leave, and therefore no trade request had been made. In all his years, he has never requested a trade, even though he has regularly applied pressure on the team to keep upgrading to the roster.

Longtime NBA reporter Chris Haynes said Antetokounmpo was going to meet with Horst the week of May 19 for one of their annual offseason conversations about the direction of the team. Other conversations have typically occurred in the summer months.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/05/22/is-giannis-getting-traded-damian-lillard-future-milwaukee-bucks-reader-questions/83721971007/

So he’s saying they already met previous to May 18th and everything was copacetic, but he references the Haynes story that they’re meeting again this week. 1. Why wasn’t this first meeting reported on, and 2. If the first meeting was fine, why are they meeting again?

[paulpressey25]

The hits keep coming.

Read on Twitter

?s=61&t=9rpMwNqOSwMJrvAAN06wgA

[Ron Swanson]

God these dudes are such idiots lol. I did see a Memphis trade floating around the inter-webs that wasn't straight up insulting though:

Desmond Bane
Jaren Jackson
GG Jackson
Jaylen Wells
2027 Unprotected Memphis 1st
2028 pick swap
2029 Unprotected Memphis 1st
2030 pick swap (2nd most favorable of MEM/PHX/WAS)
2031 Unprotected Memphis 1st

You can build a pretty decent team right away, or flip those guys for a further haul of picks. Gives us options.

[Frank Nova]

I'd be shocked if that's not the teams plan/hope. And I'd expect 90% of posters here to feel the same.

This is purely a discussion on IF Giannis forces their hand and does ask for a trade.

How can Giannis force the Bucks hand? He can “request” a trade and we can deny that request based off the return value clearly not being met. Then what happens? Giannis bitches and moans? Giannis doesn’t play to the best of his ability in spite of the organization? He requests that his request is met? His leverage is based off good faith by the franchise and that’s a 2 way street. None of these trade rumors or proposals are even in the realm of consideration when he’s under contract 2 more seasons..

I mean, have you not been watching the NBA the last 15 years? It happens all the time. This would be no different

Steph Curry played 63 games in 20-21, they went 39-33 and he won mvp and they didn’t even make the playoffs. GSW won the finals the following year. I’m not sure why Giannis’s situation has to be much different than that?

[DingleJerry]

How can Giannis force the Bucks hand? He can “request” a trade and we can deny that request based off the return value clearly not being met. Then what happens? Giannis bitches and moans? Giannis doesn’t play to the best of his ability in spite of the organization? He requests that his request is met? His leverage is based off good faith by the franchise and that’s a 2 way street. None of these trade rumors or proposals are even in the realm of consideration when he’s under contract 2 more seasons..

I mean, have you not been watching the NBA the last 15 years? It happens all the time. This would be no different

Steph Curry played 63 games in 20-21, they went 39-33 and he won mvp and they didn’t even make the playoffs. GSW won the finals the following year. I’m not sure why Giannis’s situation has to be much different than that?

That has nothing to do with what you said. But yea, that's the selling point and what my initial post said, that is 100% going to be the Bucks spin/sell and I think also what 90% of us here want. Wit the down East due to Tatum hurt, Cle likely shedding a salary, etc the East is open and Giannis is so good they could hang with anybody. Couple good moves and a new coach and who knows.

Your point was basically that players can't force teams hands to trade them, when its pretty clear the exact oppositive is true since it happens every year and usually more than once

[CharityStripe34]

Steph was third in MVP voting over Giannis in 2021, lol. The classic "great player piling up stats on a lackluster team" season.

The East does not impress me. Bucks are not far away from actually being a decent contender with an updated conceptual approach and some decent moves for roleplayers. Yes, CLE and BOS and IND are more talented but the gap is not insurmountable. Just hope the leadership has some plans in place to tinker and close the gaps a bit.