Anyone hoping this offseason might feature a bidding war for Giannis Antetokounmpo might end up being disappointed.
On Tuesday’s episode of Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said there is “no trade market” for the two-time MVP as of right now because he hasn’t asked to be moved and the Milwaukee Bucks are “not looking” to move him.
Antetokounmpo’s status with the Bucks has been one of the most closely monitored situations in the NBA since they were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on May 12 that Antetokounmpo was “open-minded” about exploring if the Bucks were his best long-term fit.
The Bucks may struggle to upgrade their roster this summer for a chance to be a top-tier contender in 2025-26, but the front office is hoping to entice Antetokounmpo on a multi-year vision.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bucks are trying to sell Antetokounmpo on a “gap year” next season that would allow them to “retool” their roster with the idea that the Eastern Conference makes it easier for them to become a title contender sooner than later.
NBA insider Jake Fischer said on June 5 that the “assessment” from people around the league about an Antetokounmpo trade is they will “believe it when they see it,” though any definite word from the nine-time All-Star either way likely won’t come until the end of the month (starts at 7:15 mark).
The Bucks are in a difficult spot right now because they will likely be without star point guard Damian Lillard for most or all of next season after he tore his Achilles in Game 4 in their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Bucks will enter this offseason $41 million under the second apron with Brook Lopez being their biggest impending free agent.
Since winning the NBA title during the 2020-21 season, the Bucks have only one playoff series win in the last four years. Their 48 wins this season were their fewest in an 82-game season since 2017-18.
Despite the team’s lack of playoff success in recent years, Antetokounmpo remains one of the most dominant individual players in the league. The 30-year-old averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in 67 starts this season.
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