NBA executive reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo’s power over Bucks originally appeared on The Sporting News
Since the end of the Milwaukee Bucks’ season at the hands of the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs last season, all eyes have been on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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Questions persisted all Summer whether the two-time league MVP would request a trade out of Milwaukee or if he would stick around for one more season.
After signing Antetokounmpo’s brother, Thanasis, it appears that the Greek Freak will certainly be a Buck for the 2025-26 season. But what about after that?
NBA Exec Reveals Giannis’ Power Over the Bucks
Athlon Sports’ Sean Deveney recently wrote an article featuring comments from an NBA executive on Antetokounmpo’s future plans given his current contract situation. While the international star is under contract in Milwaukee for the next two seasons at $54 and $58 million, respectively, he has a player option in 2027 that could allow him to test the free agent market.
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“Obviously, it’s a good thing for the Bucks that this happened, but it does not mean he’s retiring in Milwaukee,” the executive told Deveney. “The big thing is what happens next year, that’s when he will have the power to pressure the team into either trading him or letting him get to free agency.”
“There are a lot of teams betting that he will be a free agent in 2027. It’s something he has never really done, explore the market and all that. There’s a pretty good sense that he is going to want to be a free agent, at least that one time. Doesn’t mean he can’t go back to Milwaukee. But it gives the Heat, the Lakers, the Warriors, teams like that–it gives them a chance to create space and maybe make their pitch.”
While Antetokounmpo can leverage his influence within the Bucks’ organization to secure his brother’s signing, it’s merely a gesture of appeasement and no guarantee that he will stick around through 2027.
Regardless, Milwaukee will look to prove they are a contender in a weakened Eastern Conference this season, and show the Greek Freak that it’s a destination he won’t want to leave.
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