The Milwaukee Bucks are patiently waiting for the 2025-26 regular season to end, marking the first year the franchise has failed to make the NBA playoffs in a decade. Giannis Antetokounmpo has led the franchise to the postseason consistently, but feels like he didn’t get a chance to try as he had in the past.
There have been trade rumors around Antetokounmpo since last summer. Those rumors have worsened since, as Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ relationship looks to be in tatters.
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This can be seen through the NBA’s investigation into the Bucks forcing Antetokounmpo to sit out games, as the former two-time MVP reached out to the league office to let them know he was being held out despite being healthy to play.
NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that there’s a much stronger league-wide belief that Antetokounmpo will be on a new team in the 2026 offseason, especially after details of the Giannis-Bucks standoff over him playing this season needing an NBA investigation.
“Even before it became known that the league office had opened an investigation into whether Milwaukee should clear Antetokounmpo to return to the floor even though the Bucks can no longer finish higher than 11th in the East, there was a strong belief leaguewide that a long-anticipated Giannis trade would finally happen this offseason. The acrimony that has spilled out in recent days has only increased that belief.”
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during warmups.© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
(© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)
This investigation has undoubtedly heightened tensions within the Bucks organization, which will have to contend with a potential Giannis trade this summer. As Antetokounmpo’s contract expires at the end of the next season, he can opt for free agency in the summer of 2027.
The Bucks can’t afford to lose him for free and can’t afford to let his trade value sink any lower. This is a perennial MVP candidate who’s averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season despite major roster and competitive limitations, as well as real injuries earlier this year.
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It’s hard to see a world where Antetokounmpo wears the Bucks jersey for much longer. If the franchise fails to trade him before the offseason ends, they’ll likely get much lower value in return for the Greek Freak if he inches closer to entering free agency. It’s time to make a decision ASAP for the organization.
Unfortunately, no decision can be made until they finish out the regular season. They’re locked into the No. 11 seed with no incentive to win or lose games, but they do have an incentive to protect Giannis’ health, lest he play a meaningless game right now and aggravate any lingering injuries.
This concern is what led to the investigation in the first place, so many more questions need to be answered before we can explore potential teams for Antetokounmpo in the summer, beyond the already-rumored squads like the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat.
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Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Potential Trade Could Open Path For 3 NBA Contenders
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
