The Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs instantly fueled speculation over the future of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 30-year-old Antetokounmpo has spent his entire 12-year NBA career in Milwaukee, and the franchise has gone all-in to keep him happy — including trading for Damian Lillard.
But with Lillard likely out for the entire 2025–26 season, Milwaukee’s window appears to be closing fast. The Bucks have no cap flexibility, no depth, and no draft capital to fix it.
Next season looks like a lost one. And Giannis, who’s made it clear he wants to contend every year, may not be willing to waste time. According to league chatter, he’s now open to a trade.
Giannis Loves New York
Just after midnight Sunday, Giannis stirred the pot with a one-word tweet replying to a fan asking for his favorite road city: “New York.”
Now, Madison Square Garden is a favorite venue for many visiting players — including the late Kobe Bryant. But the New York Knicks have depleted most of their upcoming draft picks in trades to win now. And as they head into the Eastern Conference Finals, breaking up the current roster isn’t even under discussion.
But the story is different across town. The Brooklyn Nets have a war chest of assets to trade for the two-time MVP.
Brooklyn has 15 future first-round picks — the most in the league —along with over $50 million in projected cap space this offseason. No other potential suitor comes close to that combination of flexibility and draft capital.
Giannis’s Contract Situation
Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023, which begins with the 2025–26 season and runs through 2027 with a player option.
Notably, the deal includes no no-trade clause, giving the Bucks full control if they choose to move him.
He hasn’t demanded a trade, but he’s been consistent: if the Bucks can’t contend, he wants out.
Milwaukee’s problems run deeper than Lillard’s injury. Kyle Kuzma is on a bloated contract with two years left at $45 million. Gary Trent Jr., a bargain on the veteran minimum this season, could be expensive to retain.
If Bobby Portis declines his player option and departs, then the Bucks will have $13 million to play with. Much, if not all of that, could be eaten up by Trent.
Why Brooklyn May Be a Good Fit — And Why It Might Not
The sounder option for Milwaukee may be a rebuild. The Bucks have no first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — but the Nets have four picks: 8, 19, 26, and 27.
The Bucks could use the lottery pick to reload quickly and select one of two promising big men: Khaman Maluach from Duke or Derik Queen from Maryland.
Brooklyn also has a handful of intriguing young players — like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton — and tradable contracts to make a deal work. They also have the kind of clean cap sheet that could attract another star if needed. Hello, LeBron?
And that other big piece is key. Brooklyn’s current roster isn’t built to win immediately.
Unless they can pair Giannis with another star — either through free agency or a second trade — he could be walking into a team not much closer to contention than Milwaukee.
So a trade that sends Giannis to Brooklyn may be good for Milwaukee, but it may not be good for Giannis. Regardless, expect the speculation over Antetokounmpo to intensify over the summer — and a potential big announcement on draft night, which is set for June 25.
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