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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 07, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks have had a nightmare season. Giannis Antetokounmpo has played the fewest number of games in his career so far. Injuries have taken their toll on him. However, the drama with Antetokounmpo started last offseason.
There were rumors that he wanted to be traded before the year began. Antetokounmpo never fully disputed those rumors. Shams Charania reported that the team and Antetokounmpo were looking to figure out a way to resolve their future before the trade deadline.
Antetokounmpo was not traded. Now, one of the Bucks’ co-owners has offered insight into what they are going to do with Antetokounmpo moving forward.
The Bucks Will Either Trade or Extend Giannis Antetokounmpo
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne, Bucks co-owner Wes Edens says that the team will either trade him or extend him in the offseason.
“Giannis is going into the last year (of his contract). So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”
This is the first time that anyone associated with the Bucks has come out and said anything definitive about Antetokounmpo’s future. It doesn’t seem like a decision is going to be made anytime soon, however. According to Shelbourne’s sources, the rest of the league doesn’t think the owners are in any position to do so.
“This has nothing to do with Giannis and whether he asks out. It’s about who’s making the decision on whether to trade Giannis, and I don’t think anyone knows that. I deal with them all the time, and honestly, it depends on the day. They’re not even close to being ready to make a decision like that.”
Teams Offered Massive Packages for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Whether Antetokounmpo continues to be in Milwaukee or not will be decided in the next few months. However, multiple teams offered the Bucks huge packages for Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline. Shelbourne mentions some of the packages in her piece.
According to her, the Warriors offered four unprotected first-round picks for him. The Bucks were only interested in deals centered around Evan Mobley and V.J. Edgecomb, however. They didn’t give the Golden State offer much of a thought.
Milwaukee seems to have an issue with decision-making and figuring out who is in charge. Until the organization can figure that out, Antetokounmpo’s future remains in limbo. He does not want to be the bad guy and ask out of Milwaukee, even if it would be best for both parties moving forward.
This summer, expect multiple teams to offer huge packages for Antetokounmpo in an attempt to add a dynamic player to their roster. Milwaukee is clearly in need of a rebuild, as they sit 11th in the Eastern Conference Standings. Shipping Antetokounmpo off for young players and picks is the best way to do that.