The Milwaukee Bucks continue to search for answers after another rough showing, suffering a lopsided home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Milwaukee remains below the play-in line in the Eastern Conference, and with the NBA trade deadline approaching, calls are growing louder for the franchise to confront its situation and consider closing the chapter on the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
One of the loudest voices pushing that idea is ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who recently shared his perspective on First Take.
“The Milwaukee Bucks need to wake the hell up and trade him. You’re not going anywhere, and this is one of the top five players on the planet Earth. Top Five. Planet Earth. Tell me five players that are definitively better than Giannis Antetokounmpo.” stressed Stephen A. Smith.
Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks
Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Although Antetokounmpo continues to deliver impressive stat lines nearly every night, his efforts have not been matched by sufficient support from his Bucks teammates this season. As a result, Milwaukee sits well below .500 in the 2025-26 campaign, even while competing in the Eastern Conference, which is widely considered the weaker of the two conferences.
“Look at them, they’re not good. You have no shot to win a championship!” Smith continued.
Many expect the Bucks’ front office to hold off on exploring trade offers for Antetokounmpo, opting instead to pursue another win-now addition to improve the team in the short term. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been mentioned as a potential target, though he recently confirmed he plans to stay in Memphis.
Jan 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts with guard Damian Lillard (0) after scoring a basket in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Bucks attempted a similar strategy last offseason, stretching and waiving Damian Lillard’s contract to create space for free agent big man Myles Turner, but the move has produced limited positive results so far.
The NBA trade deadline is set for February 5. In the meantime, the Bucks will return to Fiserv Forum on Friday to face the Denver Nuggets.