Bucks' Patience Could Generate Massive Draft Capital to Trade

The chief reason outsiders believe nine-time All-NBA Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will demand a trade out of town this summer is, of course, massive trade inflexibility.

The priciest contracts on the Bucks' rosters — beyond Antetokounmpo's — will be incredibly tough to move during the offseason.

Nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during a brisk first-round playoff exit and could miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season. The soon-to-be-35-year-old is owed $112.6 million across the next two years.

At least until he returns and proves he can perform at a similar level offensively as he did prior to his injury, the 6-foot-2 Weber State alum is likely unmovable.

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Power forward Kyle Kuzma is on a declining contract, but after his no-show in the postseason and his middling play during the regular season, it could prove tough to offload the $22.4 million he'll be netting next year (he'll make $20.4 million in 2026-27).

Milwaukee sixth man power forward/center Bobby Portis has a $13.4 million player option for 2025-26, a number the 29-year-old could probably improve on the open market should he hit free agency. Center Brook Lopez is an unrestricted free agent. So neither player can be counted on as a trade asset just yet.

Reserve shooting guard Pat Connaughton has a $9.4 million player option for next season that he's almost certainly going to pick up, as he'd be lucky to earn a veteran's minimum deal as a free agent.

The Bucks also have limited control over their forthcoming draft picks.

Per Eric Nehm of The Athletic, however, Milwaukee general Jon Horst could have a huge draft asset haul next summer.