NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future in Milwaukee Uncertain

By Edcel Panganiban June 24, 2025 09:51

The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee has become a focal point of NBA speculation as the 2025 offseason unfolds. Despite being under contract through the 2026-27 season with a lucrative extension worth $228 million over five years, the two-time MVP’s long-term commitment to the Bucks remains uncertain amid challenges in building a championship-caliber roster around him.

Antetokounmpo signed a maximum veteran extension in October 2023, which guarantees him $51.9 million in the 2025-26 season alone and includes a player option for 2027-28. His contract, structured with Bird Rights, gives Milwaukee exclusive negotiating power until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Yet, sources indicate that for the first time in his career, Giannis is open to exploring whether staying in Milwaukee is the best fit for his championship aspirations.

The Bucks have struggled to assemble a supporting cast capable of complementing Giannis’s dominant two-way game. Despite a core featuring Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, injuries and roster limitations have hindered sustained title runs since their 2021 championship. The front office faces cap constraints, with Giannis’s massive salary consuming over 33% of the team’s salary cap in 2025-26, limiting flexibility to add impact players.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Giannis will engage in discussions with Milwaukee’s management in the coming weeks, signaling a critical juncture. Meanwhile, league-wide, teams are internally evaluating trade packages to acquire the Greek Freak should the Bucks decide to entertain offers. However, any trade would require a complex salary matching and salary cap management, as teams must remain below the NBA’s luxury tax apron and send Milwaukee at least $43.5 million in salary in return.

Giannis’s openness to change contrasts with his previous public commitment to Milwaukee. In 2023, upon signing his extension, he emphasized loyalty: “Milwaukee is where I started my career, it’s our home… it’s where I’m going to continue to work hard every day to make Bucks fans proud.” Yet, the evolving landscape and the franchise’s inability to surround him with a championship-ready roster have introduced uncertainty.

Industry analysts note that while Giannis is unlikely to move in the immediate offseason, his situation looms large over Milwaukee’s roster decisions. The Bucks must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term planning, all while navigating the possibility that their franchise cornerstone might seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Trade rumors have circulated, with some voices arguing that moving Giannis could reset the franchise and provide assets to rebuild. However, such a move would be monumental, as trading a reigning MVP in his prime is rare and would reshape the NBA landscape.

In summary, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks through 2026-27, earning a salary exceeding $50 million annually. Yet, the 30-year-old superstar’s future in Milwaukee is clouded by roster-building challenges and his own openness to exploring alternatives. As the Bucks prepare for the 2025-26 season, the organization and its fans await clarity on whether the Greek Freak will continue his quest for another title in Milwaukee or seek new horizons.