As the NBA slows down with the NBA All Star break, it feels like the right time to take a closer look at Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks and where they really stand. The Bucks head to New Orleans on Friday, then return home for nine of their next 10 games, a stretch that could shape how the rest of their season unfolds.
Spectrum News 1’s Dennis Krause caught up with Bucks beat writer Eric Nehm of The Athletic to discuss Milwaukee’s recent momentum, roster moves, and the pressure surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Before the break, Milwaukee won five of six. Is it sustainable? That remains to be seen, but the early returns on their recent moves are encouraging. Cam Thomas has given the Bucks a scoring punch they badly needed and Ousmane Dieng has shown flashes of brilliance.
“I think that’s a tough thing to kind of know. I think the exciting thing is that two new players came in, Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng… Both of those guys made contributions, which is always what you want to see as a pretty instant impact for those two guys. So if we’re looking at the real, not real part, I think that’s the part the Bucks are hoping is real,” Nehm remarked.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team World forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Still, much of the conversation around the Bucks centers on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nehm expects trade rumors to surface again this summer, largely because of Antetokounmpo’s relentless focus on winning. He is unlikely to promise long term loyalty without title contention.
“I think what all of us have to realize is that this is the most insanely competitive person I’ve ever been around … I think one of the things that’s hard is that has continuously put the organization in a tough spot, right? Like, you can only contend for so long in the NBA. At some point, you have to refill that roster with draft picks, with a different trade, with a new coach. You have to find ways to contend,” Nehm continued.
Feb 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
This season has tested both Giannis and the Bucks. Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury in last year’s playoffs removed any realistic path to being favorites in the East. Giannis has shouldered a heavy load with a reshaped roster and young point guards, and at times his frustration has surfaced.
According to Nehm, the grind has been tougher than Antetokounmpo expected, underscoring how demanding this transition year has been for Milwaukee.