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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks brings the ball up court during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on December 29, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks have been dealing with trying to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and on the roster. This offseason was the first time that cracks appeared in the relationship between the two when Antetokounmpo started to think about his future.
Right now, the Bucks sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. Antetokounmpo did come out and say that he was going to be discussing his future with his agent. He got hurt shortly afterwards, but he has now returned to action. Still, his future with the organization remains up in the air.
Milwaukee will only trade Antetokounmpo if he demands to be moved. Otherwise, they will do whatever it takes to keep him. A few reporters from The Athletic believe that Antetokounmpo will finish out the season with the Bucks.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks the ball. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Bucks Are Likely Going to Retain Giannis Antetokounmpo
According to John Hollinger, Sam Amick, and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo will likely remain with Milwaukee for the remainder of the season. None of them is 100 percent sure that it will be the case, but they believe it’s the most likely outcome.
Hollinger does believe that there is a good shot Antetokounmpo ends up somewhere else at the conclusion of the season.
“Giannis is the easier for me: I think he’ll be on the Bucks, because I don’t think either side in that marriage has it in them to be the ones to show up to the dinner table with a divorce lawyer. Summer? That might be a different story.”
There have been rumors that the Bucks might try to take another big swing to make a trade to add to the roster around Antetokounmpo. That could be someone like Anthony Davis or a guard like Zach LaVine. Right now, it looks like Antetokounmpo will be in Milwaukee.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots the ball. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo Needs to Carry the Bucks
If the Bucks don’t turn things around quickly, they are in danger of losing Antetokounmpo. In order for them to have any shot of making the playoffs, Antetokounmpo will need to carry them there. It’s clear that Milwaukee’s offseason moves have not worked out.
Myles Turner has been a disaster on the offensive end. They still don’t have a viable point guard who can run the team and get everyone in the right spot. The Bucks have a bottom-ten offense in the NBA, which is clearly not good enough to make the playoffs.
Unless Turner can magically flip the switch offensively, the Bucks are in some trouble. Antetokounmpo has suffered a couple of injuries this year, and he is not the most reliable when it comes to availability. His high effort on the court lends itself to him suffering some injuries.
Milwaukee needs Antetokounmpo to play at an MVP-type level if they are going to win enough games to make the playoffs in a weakened Eastern Conference. If they fail to do so, Antetokounmpo is likely playing somewhere else in 2026-27.