The Milwaukee Bucks captured their first NBA title in 50 years in the 2020-21 season, but in the time since, the franchise hasn’t enjoyed the same success.
Last October, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo did sign an extension with the team, quieting some chatter about his future. But after a disappointing 2023-24 season for the organization, some of that speculation may be coming back.
According to a report, rival executives around the NBA are hoping the Bucks “fail miserably” in hopes that the eight-time All-Star may consider an NBA future elsewhere.
“As I shared with Antetokounmpo, rival front office executives are hoping the Bucks fail miserably so that he might consider an NBA life outside of Milwaukee,” wrote The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “(He is signed through the 2026-27 season and has a player option worth $62.7 million in 2027-28.) If [Damian] Lillard struggles to be at his best again in a Bucks jersey, trade calls will inevitably come Milwaukee’s way about him. (He’s owed a combined $161.4 million for the next three seasons, with a player option in 2026-27.)”
After the Bucks won their 2021 championship, they were unsuccessful in their title defense in the 2021-22 season. They reached the second round of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Boston Celtics in seven games.
Then, in the 2022-23 season, Milwaukee significantly disappointed in the postseason, taking a first-round exit at the hands of the Miami Heat. The Bucks were the No. 1 seed going into that series while that the Heat were the No. 8 seed.
Seemingly aware that something needed to change, the Bucks traded for Lillard in the 2023 offseason, and the move might’ve played a role in Antetokounmpo’s decision to extend with Milwaukee.
But the Lillard trade didn’t have the desired effect in the 2023-24 season, with the Bucks again losing in the first round of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo was sidelined during the playoff series — which came against the Indiana Pacers — due to injury.
Now, the team is facing some pressure going into the 2024-25 season, and it appears that some people around the NBA are hoping to see the Bucks struggle. For what it’s worth, one Bucks executive thinks the team will be “unbeatable” if and when Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Khris Middleton are all healthy for the playoffs.
The idea of Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee will likely make headlines as long as it’s even remotely possible, especially since he hasn’t played for another team in the NBA. He’s been with the Bucks since they drafted him in 2013, and he has turned into a two-time MVP during his time with the franchise.
