If Giannis Antetokounmpo decides not to request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, his team could look different next season.
Bucks All-Star point guard Damian Lillard could miss all of next season recovering from his left Achilles tendon tear. The future Hall of Famer tore his Achilles in Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year's playoffs.
Not only could Antetokounmpo be without Lillard next season, but the two-time MVP and 2021 Finals MVP could also be without the center who helped him defeat the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals in six games.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo could lose Brook Lopez this offseason.
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
According to Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm, Brook Lopez is expected to leave the Bucks this offseason.
Lopez, 37, becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“Most everyone I’ve spoken to assume Brook Lopez is gone,” Moore wrote. “Lopez might be one of the bigger names on the market. He’s certainly at the end of his career, but like Al Horford, he’s a complete pro and a winner who’s easy to fit into a team culture and find a role for, and still makes a difference defensively night to night.”
Lopez appeared in 80 games for the Bucks this season. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 50.9% from the field, 37.3% from 3 and 82.6% from the free-throw line.
A Stanford product, Lopez joined the Bucks in 2018. The veteran is averaging 13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a Milwaukee uniform.
Antetokounmpo has a record of 283-118 with Lopez, who has played for the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Bucks. The one-time All-Star has career averages of 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
It will be intriguing to see where Lopez is playing next season. He turns 38 on April 1, 2026.