Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst has been in the headlines for most of the offseason thanks to a handful of stunning moves, with some being extra critical of his work this summer.
Among some of those shocking moves includes signing Myles Turner to a four-year, $109 million deal, and waiving their superstar point guard, Damian Lillard, who would then go on to sign with his former team, the Portland Trailblazers.
Amid all of this, franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo has been marred in trade discussions
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As it stands currently, the Bucks’ roster is a total shell of its former self, and is almost unrecognizable to the version that won the NBA title in 2021. After several first-round playoff exits in a row, many analysts are becoming quite critical of the Bucks’ leadership.
[The Ringer’s Michael Pina](https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/13/nba/luka-doncic-rob-pelinka-los-angeles-lakers-nba-pressure-2025-26) suggested that Horst could be playing 3-D chess as he tries to get Antetokounmpo to force his way out to kickstart a rebuild.
“Horst still has a few chips to move before the trade deadline—Milwaukee’s first-round pick in 2032 is one of the more valuable assets in the entire league—but it’s hard to envision any deals that can bring in the amount of win-now talent they need to seriously contend,” [Pina said](https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/13/nba/luka-doncic-rob-pelinka-los-angeles-lakers-nba-pressure-2025-26). “Somewhat related to all of these issues, I’m struck by how low this team’s payroll is now as it ostensibly does whatever it can to compete at the highest level," Pena adds. "The Bucks rank 23rd in payroll, and when you look at their roster, it’s not hard to understand why. Antetokounmpo is set to earn over twice as much money as any of his teammates this season. The only other player who can say that is Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, a trade candidate.”
Nonetheless, as it stands right now, the Bucks will try to contend next season as long as Antetokounmpo remains on the roster, and it’s hard to blame them. This upcoming season will be very telling for the Bucks, as they could be seeing the end of a historic era in Milwaukee unfolding right before their eyes.