While Giannis Antetokounmpo won't demand a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before the draft or free agency begins, the two-time MVP's long-term future remains uncertain as he evaluates how the franchise handles a challenging offseason. Antetokounmpo reportedly remains open-minded about his future and wants to evaluate how the Bucks navigate their offseason. With the Bucks facing severe salary cap constraints, seven free agents, and no first-round picks for the next five years, rival teams are closely monitoring whether Antetokounmpo might eventually seek a change later this summer or ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.
"Let's talk some facts before we get into anything else," said Brian Windhorst on Tuesday's First Take. "The Bucks have seven free agents. Seven. Three or four of which I would refer to as core players. The Bucks do not have salary cap space. The Bucks do not control their first round draft pick for the next five years. They can't trade it. They can't trade the pick or the swap.
"The Bucks are in situation where they cannot count on Dame Lillard for next year. Maybe he can come back, but they cannot count on it. The Bucks are not interested right now in trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. And Giannis, to our knowledge, to my belief, has not asked for a trade. Those are the facts.
"Now, we are also before the draft. We are before free agency. Will the Bucks do some things over the next two, three weeks to put themselves in a position where they can look like they could win the Eastern Conference with those limitations? Maybe.
"So, that's why the league is waiting. People want to know why aren't the Knicks going all in for Kevin Durant? Why aren't the Heat going all in for Kevin Durant? Because in part, there's other reasons, but in part they want to see what happens here with the Bucks. And we're going to be watching closely."
The Phoenix Suns traded away Durant on Sunday to the Houston Rockets for a package that many around the league found underwhelming. At one point this offseason, it was believed Durant wouldn't be traded until Antetokounmpo's situation was resolved. Because it was clear Antetokounmpo wouldn't be traded before either the draft or the start of free agency, the Suns still had to move forward with their trade in order to make their selection with the No. 10 overall pick.
The Rockets still retain enough assets to also acquire Antetokounmpo and theoretically remain a title contender with him. The New York Knicks quickly exited trade conversations with the Suns for Durant. The San Antonio Spurs were never serious about a trade for Durant and the belief is they are "stocking their assets for potentially a bigger move."
