Giannis Antetokounmpo remains at the center of Milwaukee Bucks’ uncertain direction, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon is not the only one trying to figure out what the Bucks are doing.
If the organization wants to keep Giannis in Milwaukee, the path is simple: start winning games and push into the Play-In Tournament or beyond. At the same time, finishing with a high lottery pick in June’s draft could also benefit the franchise, creating a strange scenario where piling up more losses might actually help their long term outlook.
On the most recent episode of The Hoop Collective, MacMahon commented on what is happening in Milwaukee saying, “It’s completely hypocritical to be critical of the Bucks for goin all in on the Play-In. I will absolutely acknowledge that because, the tanking epidemic is the biggest issue in the NBA right now. This is a team that could’ve gone the tank route, and has gone the complete opposite. They’re trying as hard as possible to cling to that No. 10 seed and probably get bounced in the Play-In.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks chasing the Play-In Tournament
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) slams the ball against the post in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
“The reason there’s a tanking epidemic is because it’s a smart strategy for teams that aren’t any good. The Bucks aren’t any good. Whether they’re moving forward with Giannis or not, they don’t have control of their picks moving forward. This is much like the Mavericks. This is their one swing at a lottery pick for a little while, and it would be their best asset to try to somehow quickly rebuild and give Giannis a chance to contend, or their best asset if they do end up trading Giannis.”
MacMahon also argued that pushing for a Play-In Tournament berth may not align with the franchise’s long term goals. Brian Windhorst responded by pointing out that it might still make sense for the team in the immediate future. That difference in perspective highlights the tough spot Milwaukee finds itself in.
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball away from Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
At the moment, Milwaukee holds the 10th worst record in the NBA, which gives the team a 13.9 percent chance of landing a top four pick in the draft. The Bucks have also dropped four straight games, and that skid has come while they are still attempting to compete for wins.
Their pursuit of a play in spot may not materialize anyway. Milwaukee trails the tenth place Atlanta Hawks by five games, while Atlanta has built momentum with a five game winning streak. Because of that gap, the Bucks could realistically slide into the draft lottery range without intentionally shifting their approach.