MILWAUKEE — For the first time in ten years, the Milwaukee Bucks won’t be participating in the NBA playoffs.
Milwaukee’s path back to postseason play may hinge on what could be one of the most pivotal offseasons in team history, with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future hanging in the balance.
Could the two-time Most Valuable Player have suited up for Milwaukee for the final time?
“I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo stated on Sunday following a 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia that concluded the Bucks’ disappointing 32-50 campaign. “It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo has played his complete 13-season NBA career with Milwaukee after being chosen 15th overall by the franchise in the 2013 draft. The 6-foot-11 star guided the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years during 2021 and holds virtually every significant franchise scoring record.
Unless he agrees to a four-year, $275 million extension this October, Antetokounmpo can enter free agency following next season. Alternatively, Milwaukee might deal him earlier if they doubt his willingness to commit long-term. This situation made Antetokounmpo a focal point of trade speculation at this year’s deadline, though the Bucks retained him.
When questioned Sunday about potentially signing the extension, Antetokounmpo responded with caution.
“It’s something I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” he said.
Doc Rivers, who revealed Monday his decision to resign as Milwaukee’s head coach, expressed hope for a mutually beneficial outcome.
“Giannis and this franchise won a title together, and to me, that should never be lost, no matter how this ends up,” Rivers commented. “As I said, Giannis is a fantastic person. I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top as far as just good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”
This critical juncture comes during a period of strained relations between Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee’s management.
Antetokounmpo’s season ended March 15 following an awkward landing during a dunk attempt against Indiana that forced his exit. He posted averages of 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across a career-low 36 appearances.
Despite feeling ready to return, team officials kept him sidelined during the final weeks, citing a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter.
Should Milwaukee part ways with Antetokounmpo, they would likely face an extended rebuilding process due to limited draft capital.
Milwaukee will receive a lottery selection this year from either their own position or New Orleans’ spot, whichever is worse. However, they lack first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, with agreed-upon swaps potentially hurting their draft positioning in 2028 and 2030.
Following their 2021 championship, the Bucks have made only two first-round selections: MarJon Beauchamp in 2022 and AJ Johnson in 2024. Both players are no longer with the organization.
While Antetokounmpo has consistently expressed his fondness for Milwaukee, he desires to compete for championships. The Bucks haven’t advanced past the first playoff round since 2022 and just completed their first losing season since 2015-16.
“We’re the furthest away we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo observed. “I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we will be in next year.”
Injuries have significantly contributed to Milwaukee’s decline.
Khris Middleton’s knee problems prevented the three-time All-Star from participating in Milwaukee’s 2022 Eastern Conference semifinal defeat to Boston. Despite posting the league’s best regular season record in 2022-23, Antetokounmpo’s back injury forced him to miss 2½ playoff games as Miami eliminated Milwaukee in round one.
A calf injury kept Antetokounmpo out of the entire 2024 first-round series loss to Indiana. Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tear during Game 4 of last year’s opening-round elimination by Indiana.
This season’s injury problems extended beyond Antetokounmpo. Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee’s second-highest scorer, appeared in just 36 contests.
The Bucks frequently struggled to remain competitive throughout the season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Milwaukee suffered 20 defeats by 20 or more points. According to Sportradar, they had never previously endured more than 14 such losses in any single season.
The team recorded 14 losses of 25+ points — double their previous single-season high. They also absorbed eight defeats of 30+ points, another franchise record that doubled the previous mark.
“Obviously when you have injuries to two of your top ball handlers like Giannis and KPJ, it kind of hurt us a lot,” forward Bobby Portis explained. “And then all the outside noise as well kind of just took away from the team. Years before, things that were said or things we had internally that were about the team didn’t really get out to the media. There were a lot more dark clouds than in previous years.”
General Manager Jon Horst has previously made bold moves that helped persuade Antetokounmpo to remain in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo agreed to an extension in 2021 after Horst acquired Jrue Holiday. He signed another deal following the 2023 trade for Lillard.
After Lillard’s Achilles injury, Milwaukee made another bold decision by releasing him and spreading his remaining $113 million contract across five years. This created enough salary cap space to sign former Indiana center Myles Turner.
Horst now confronts his most significant challenge: assembling a roster capable of convincing Antetokounmpo that championship contention is possible without switching teams.
“Money doesn’t mean nothing to me,” Antetokounmpo declared. “Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”
