Bucks May Need To Brace For Another Summer Of Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Chatter

April 22, 2025

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is as dominant as ever — and for some, that’s the problem.

No, it’s not about his game. Far from it. In a recent column, Danny Chau of The Ringer made the argument that Antetokounmpo and his otherworldly stats have become so routine, we’ve almost forgotten just how incredible he is.

We’re talking about a guy who’s averaged 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists over the past season while shooting nearly 60% from the floor — and yet, whispers of trade rumors have been circling for years.

But here’s the kicker: these rumors might be about to get louder.

Chau highlighted Antetokounmpo’s incredible seven-year streak in the top four of MVP voting — the second-longest streak in NBA history, only behind LeBron James. He’s an elite scorer, an elite defender, and yes, the most versatile player in the league. But here’s the thing: Does he even want to stay in Milwaukee?

There’s the rub.

As the Bucks tumble in and out of inconsistent seasons, the front office seems stuck. Injuries have hit hard. Coaching changes and team chemistry issues haven’t helped. And even with Antetokounmpo playing like a top-tier MVP candidate, the Bucks haven’t been able to break through in the East since their 2021 title run.

So, let’s be real, if the Bucks fall short of even making an Eastern Conference finals run again this year, the biggest question won’t be how good Giannis is — it’ll be how much longer they’ll be able to keep him.

With each passing playoff failure, the Giannis-to-another-team talk will get louder. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, or another title contender, expect NBA analysts to start connecting the dots if the Bucks get knocked out early once again. (They trail their series vs. the Indiana Pacers, 1-0, entering Tuesday night.)

But this time, the stakes are even higher — especially with Milwaukee’s recent moves, which could signal bigger shifts coming. For instance, the Damian Lillard acquisition was once supposed to put the Bucks over the top. But Lillard has been spending a whole lot of time on the injury list.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kuzma has yet to make a difference after being acquired in the February Khris Middleton trade with the Washington Wizards.

And we can’t overlook Brook Lopez — another key player in the Bucks’ rotation, but also a potential trade piece if Milwaukee decides to shake things up. Lopez has proven to be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor, but could the Bucks be willing to move him to get more help for Antetokounmpo in the long run?

Even Chau, in his piece, alluded to the fact that Giannis will only stay in Milwaukee if the team gives him a chance to compete for championships every season. He’s not about to waste his prime years, and rightfully so.

For now, this much is certain — we still might not appreciate Giannis enough. But every GM around the league does. And if Milwaukee falters? Get ready for a summer of rumors. Again.