Giannis Antetokounmpo on the market: the Bucks face a historic dilemma

The Bucks find themselves at a decisive turning point in their history

According to reports from ESPN and Shams Charania, the Wisconsin franchise is now listening to offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Greek superstar would be ready to accept a trade to a new NBA team, whether before the February 5th deadline or during the offseason.

Since being drafted in 2013, Antetokounmpo has shown loyalty to Milwaukee, signing extensions in 2016, 2020 and 2023. For his part, general manager Jon Horst has bet everything on building a competitive team around his star, hoping to recreate the magic of 2021 that allowed the Bucks to win their first title in 50 years.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026

However, the spectacular moves of recent seasons have not paid off. The controversial trade to acquire Damian Lillard in 2023 and the recruitment of center Myles Turner last summer have not brought Milwaukee closer to a new title. With a disastrous record of 18 wins and 27 losses, the Bucks are heading toward their worst season in ten years.

The statistics reveal the team’s total dependence on their leader: Milwaukee shows a differential of -11.2 points per 100 possessions when Antetokounmpo is not on the court. This reality, combined with the fact that the 31-year-old player will enter the final year of his contract, has created a widespread feeling in the league that a trade has never been closer.

Limited options for rebuilding

If the Bucks decide not to trade their franchise player, their alternatives remain limited. After the trades involving Jrue Holiday and Lillard, then the signing of Turner, Milwaukee has few tradable assets. The franchise owns its 2031 or 2032 draft pick, but its salary structure is unbalanced with 11 players out of 15 earning between $2.3 and $5.1 million.

The most attractive contracts for potential trades before February 5th remain those of Turner ($25.3 million), Kyle Kuzma ($22.4 million) and Bobby Portis ($13.5 million). With Antetokounmpo absent for an extended period, Horst and management could choose to wait until summer to restructure.

The irony of the situation is that Milwaukee, by missing the playoffs, would add a lottery pick to the currently fifth-oldest roster in the league. On draft night, the Bucks could trade three first-round picks (2026, 2031 and 2033) to strengthen the team around their star. But the question remains: which franchises have the necessary assets to acquire a player of this caliber?