Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads - and both sides know it.
The two-time MVP and his longtime agent, Alex Saratsis, have opened up discussions with the team’s front office to evaluate what the future holds. The goal?
To figure out whether Giannis’ best shot at chasing more championships is still in Milwaukee, or if it might be time to consider a new chapter elsewhere. A decision isn’t expected to drag on for long - both sides are aiming for clarity in the coming weeks.
This conversation didn’t come out of nowhere. The Bucks’ early playoff exit last season - their third straight first-round loss - raised real questions about the franchise's trajectory. And when Damian Lillard went down with an Achilles tear, it only added more uncertainty to a team that had already been struggling to recapture its 2021 title form.
Now 30, Giannis has never shied away from expressing his love for Milwaukee. He’s built a legacy there, both on and off the court.
But he’s also made it crystal clear: he’s here to win. And if the Bucks can’t put him in a position to compete at the highest level, he’s open to exploring other options.
Over the summer, sources say Giannis had “serious questions” about the Bucks’ ability to contend and floated the idea of an “alternative path forward.” That included expressing interest in the New York Knicks - a team that’s long been connected to star pursuits.
Milwaukee and New York reportedly held brief trade talks, but the Bucks didn’t find New York’s offer compelling enough to move forward. Instead, the front office pivoted toward retooling the roster.
That effort included a bold financial maneuver: waiving and stretching Lillard’s max contract to open up cap space, which they used to sign Myles Turner - one of the top free agents on the market and a significant upgrade in the frontcourt.
Heading into training camp, Giannis reaffirmed his commitment to the team - at least for the short term. The plan was to evaluate the first 25 or so games before making any long-term decisions.
When asked about the Knicks rumors during the preseason, Giannis didn’t exactly shut the door. He praised the Bucks’ revamped roster but acknowledged that his mindset could evolve “in six, seven months.”
Fast forward to now, and the early returns haven’t been promising. After a solid 4-1 start, the Bucks have hit a wall, dropping eight of their last nine games. At 9-13, they’re currently outside the top 10 in the Eastern Conference standings.
The on-court numbers tell a similar story. When Giannis is on the floor, the Bucks outscore opponents by nearly nine points per 100 possessions.
But when he sits? That net rating flips to a brutal -11.0 - a stark reminder of just how much he carries this team.
That kind of imbalance is more than just a stat - it’s a signal. And inside the organization, frustration is mounting.
According to sources close to the situation, the recent slide has been tough on Giannis and the team alike. One source even suggested “the writing is on the wall” for a potential departure if things don’t turn around quickly.
If Giannis does decide to explore a trade this winter, it won’t be a one-team sweepstakes. While the Knicks had a bit of a head start over the summer, that window has closed. The Heat and Nets are among the teams that have been consistently linked to Giannis in recent years, and you can bet others would jump into the mix with aggressive offers if he hits the market.
For now, though, the Bucks still have one thing going for them: Giannis is still playing at an MVP level. He’s averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in just 30.8 minutes a night, shooting a blistering .639 from the field and an eye-opening .435 from three. That kind of efficiency, especially at his usage rate, is almost unheard of.
Financially, Giannis is locked in for now. His deal carries a $54.1 million cap hit this season and jumps to $58.5 million in 2026-27. He holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 and becomes eligible for an extension next October.
But contracts and cap hits only go so far. If the Bucks can’t start stringing together wins soon, the conversation around Giannis’ future won’t just continue - it’ll intensify. And for a franchise that’s built its identity around its superstar, the stakes couldn’t be higher.