The Bucks Are Officially Bracing For Giannis' Exit, And They're Already Dialing Teams

Holy smokes, NBA fans, did you hear this? The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga is about to get real, and it’s happening way sooner than we all thought! After months of "will they, won't they," league and team sources have spilled the tea to ESPN's Shams Charania: the Milwaukee Bucks are officially open to taking trade calls and offers for their two-time MVP this offseason. Forget waiting until the fall, this thing is kicking into high gear right now, before June's draft, and it means everything is about to change.

Milwaukee's Ownership Drops the Truth Bomb

This isn't just speculation, folks, this is coming straight from the top. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam didn't mince words, saying, "Before the draft is a natural time." Why? Because if Giannis ends up playing elsewhere, they need a ton of assets. Haslam laid it out, saying it's GM Jon Horst's job to get those assets, and if Giannis stays, you build a team differently. And if that wasn't blunt enough for you, controlling owner Wes Edens, who's in charge until April 2028, said back in March that "One of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded." Talk about straight talk! The clock is ticking because Giannis has only two years left on his deal, with that second year being a player option. He's eligible to ink a massive four-year, $275 million contract come October 1. If he exercises his $62.8 million option for the 2026-27 season, that deal becomes three years, $213.6 million. But here's the kicker: Milwaukee knows they can't wait until October for him to make a decision. Edens made it clear, "That's not a Giannis issue. That's any player in their last year." Any team that trades for him could sign him to the same extension, but not until six months post-trade. That's a huge risk for any franchise considering giving up a haul of assets without a guaranteed extension.

What the Bucks Bring to the Table (And What They Don't)

So, what exactly do the Bucks have to play with as they brace for this potential move? They've got the 10th pick in June's draft, and from draft night onwards, they can trade two more first-round picks in 2031 and 2033. Those are some serious future assets. But on the flip side, improving the team through free agency this summer looks like a tough road. They've got nine free agents, and five of those, including Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims, have player options. Plus, the Bucks are projected to be over the cap, thanks to signing Myles Turner last offseason and Damian Lillard's $20.2 million per season. It's a tricky situation for a team that hoisted the championship trophy with Giannis back in 2020-21. For any potential trade partner, they'd need to send Milwaukee at least $46.6 million in salary and stay under the first apron, which makes this even more complex. The draft is fast approaching, and every day brings us closer to what could be an absolute league-shaking move. Get ready, because the Giannis trade watch just hit a whole new level of intensity!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.