While the Milwaukee Bucks’ players and coaches have done a lot of reactive PR to push back against Giannis Antetokounmpo trade buzz, a move still feels inevitable at some point.
And according to Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, Giannis will be packing his bags and heading elsewhere, at the latest, this offseason. Reading Bailey’s reasoning, it makes a lot of sense for everyone involved, Milwaukee included.
“The Bucks have almost no significant trade assets beyond Giannis and a team that looks primed to finish the season below .500,” Bailey wrote on January 1. “They have a $22.5 million cap hit on their books in each of the four seasons after this one for stretching Damian Lillard’s contract.”
“Without a Giannis trade, there isn’t a clear path back to contention in the next few years,” Bailey continued. “So, Milwaukee can either … let Antetokounmpo dominate for a mediocre team until he hits his mid-30s, when the asset base starts to replenish but he’ll be nearing the end of his career; or … they can trade for him a rebuild-boosting and era-shifting package that could have them competitive again in a few years. Consider this a bet that they’ll take the latter path at some point before the 2026-27 season starts.”
Antetokounmpo, drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013, emerged from humble beginnings in Greece to become one of the NBA’s all-time dominant forces. His early seasons showed promise, earning All-Rookie honors in 2014 and the Most Improved Player award in 2017. By 2019 and 2020, he claimed back-to-back MVP titles, adding Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. In 2021, he led the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years, securing Finals MVP with a historic 50-point closeout game.
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In 2024-25, Giannis averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over 67 games.
So far in 2025-26 amid roster shifts (including additions like Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner after Damian Lillard’s departure), Giannis has battled a calf strain, missing eight games. Through 21 appearances, he’s posted 29.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game on 63.7 percent shooting.
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On January 2, his 30-point, 10-rebound, five-assist effort against the Charlotte Hornets included a game-winning dunk. This was Giannis’ 158th game of 30/10/5, passing Oscar Robertson for the all-time lead in that category.
Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images
