Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with one team, but that hasn’t stopped the Golden State Warriors from keeping him on their radar.
NBA insider Sam Amick explained why Antetokounmpo’s future is worth monitoring “if the wheels fall off the Bucks.”
“One that I think is just always gonna be monitored around the NBA is if the wheels fall off the Bucks,” Amick said. “We know that Joe Lacob has had dreams of Giannis coming the Warriors’ way for a very long time. Again, unlikely, but Khris Middleton is gonna be a free agent next summer…I think Giannis is worth monitoring.”
The Bucks had a disappointing 2023-24 season and have enjoyed very little playoff success since their NBA title run in the 2020-21 campaign.
In the 2021-22 season, Milwaukee, looking to defend its title, only made it to the second round before being eliminated by the Boston Celtics.
In the 2022-23 season, the Bucks were stunned by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs despite going into the series as heavy favorites. Milwaukee was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference while Miami was the No. 8 seed.
In the ensuing offseason, the Bucks took action, acquiring star guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a blockbuster deal. The trade had many fans thinking that Antetokounmpo and Lillard would form a lethal duo and lead Milwaukee back to championship contention.
But the Bucks didn’t meet expectations in their first year with Lillard, having a forgettable regular season before taking a first-round exit in the playoffs while dealing with injuries.
Now, Milwaukee could be feeling some pressure going into the 2024-25 season, as the organization has had a few frustrating years in a row. If the Bucks continue to struggle, perhaps the team will consider making some major changes.
Fellow NBA insider Zach Lowe speculated recently that the Miami Heat — who were heavily linked to Lillard before the Bucks acquired him — could revisit their pursuit of the veteran if Milwaukee’s situation eventually opens the door for that.
If the Warriors were to ever make a genuine push for Antetokounmpo, they’d likely be met with a monstrous asking price, as it’s very rare for a two-time MVP to be on the move via trade. Still, it may be a possibility worth monitoring if the Bucks can’t get things together in the near future.
