National media are talking as if the Milwaukee Bucks should be more desperate this offseason and make sure they get something from Giannis Antetokounmpo in case the superstar decides to leave.
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Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
This is why there is a constant arrival of packers prepared for the Greek Freak that will make the Bucks future-proof. There’s one from the Houston Rockets that includes their young All-Star and other young guns. San Antonio Spurs are also reportedly interested.
The media is enjoying the trade experiments. NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is not. To him, such talks should not occur in the first place. At least on the part of the Bucks.
His justification? The tandem of Giannis and Damian Lillard.
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February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Carmelo Anthony is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
“They have the pieces bro, everything you wanted. All right, granted Jrue Holiday was a major piece, alright, cool,” the NBA 75th Anniversary Team member said during a guesting in Paul George’s Podcast P.
“You still actually have Dame Lillard back. That’s a piece. You have to make that work. That’s a big and a guard. That ain’t no two wings.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo still makes Bucks a contender
Melo has been consistent with his take on this Giannis Antetokounmpo future saga.
He previously declared that the two-time MVP is the destination and not the other way around.
“He got to get people to him. You build around that. And the more that you see that needs help, you go get that help that he needs. You don’t just give up on that.”
He has a similar take in conversation with PG. He said that the Bucks are still built to contend with all the players they can surround Giannis with, starting with Lillard.
Jan 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) holds the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. New York won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) holds the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. New York won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
“You don’t need three stars. You got two already,” he explained.
“This is how it was put together. This is the part that I don’t like, everybody keeps making excuses about this when they have teams. You have Lopez, he’s a great center.”
Anthony might be correct here. Lillard and Antetokounmpo are the highest scoring duo in the 2024-2025 season and when healthy, they can definitely do damage.
Health is the biggest question. Right now, the Bucks will have to endure a long season without Lillard who is expected to recover from Achilles injury only by latter part of the 2025-2026 season.,
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