Milwaukee Bucks' late season push might be dead 1 Mar 7, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) goes down to the floor in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Bucks indecision on Giannis Antetokounmpo cost them both postseason hopes and lottery position

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 3:51 AM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks have put themselves in a difficult position, and that situation has been building for some time. Co-owner Wes Edens recently pointed out that Giannis Antetokounmpo is entering the final year of his contract, making it clear the outcome will come down to either an extension or a trade.

Skepticism around the Bucks continuing this uncertain path with Giannis is understandable. The ongoing indecision has left the franchise in a difficult spot, and that lack of direction has carried over into choices about his availability for the rest of the season.

Reports indicate the team would prefer Antetokounmpo, who has appeared in just 36 games due to multiple injuries, to remain sidelined through the end of the year. Giannis, however, does not share that view. At this point, there has yet to be a clear moment where both the player and the organization are publicly in sync.

By holding on to Giannis Antetokounmpo while still attempting to stay competitive at times, the Milwaukee Bucks have ended up in the least favorable position in the standings, stuck in the middle without a clear direction.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ wasted season

Monday’s lopsided road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers ensured the team will finish with a losing record. Most projection models already point to Milwaukee missing the Play-In, and the on-court product has reflected that reality for some time.

After choosing not to move Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, a more decisive approach could have been to sit him for the remainder of the season and fully commit to improving draft position. Instead, the team picked up a few low-impact wins in February, creating a sense that a late push was still possible and potentially reinforcing that belief within both the roster and Antetokounmpo himself.

Giannis Antetokounmpo admits he's still trying to find his in Bucks' embarrassing loss to the Celtics 1 Mar 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) comes out of the game near the end of the second quarter and walks past Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers as they compete against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

That outcome was never realistic. The Bucks are now locked in a battle with the Bulls for ninth or 10th worst, which directly impacts their lottery odds. Finishing 10th yields a 13.9% chance at a top-four pick, while ninth place increases those odds to 20.3%.

The team will receive the worse of its own pick or New Orleans’ selection owed to Atlanta. Had Milwaukee committed to tanking earlier, particularly during their counterproductive February win streak, they could have secured the seventh-worst record and 32% top-four odds, more than double their current projection.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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