Expert still questions Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with Bucks

Most fans and executives have moved past the idea of a Giannis trade, but NBA analyst Zach Lowe still isn’t ready to close the door on it.

“I think just because Thanasis resigned for a one-year deal and Giannis is going to start the season with the Bucks and probably play this whole season, that the Bucks considering a trade is such a massive undertaking with the aprons and all that that, doing it without a team that has any cap space to facilitate the trade, the Nets will eventually run out of cap space… is very difficult,” Lowe remarked in his self-titled show.

Giannis Antetokounmpo staying with the Bucks for the long haul?

The Bucks have taken bold steps to reinforce Giannis Antetokounmpo’s commitment and keep their title hopes alive. They cleared cap space by parting with Damian Lillard, invested four years and $107 million in Myles Turner to anchor the defense next to Giannis, and secured Bobby Portis with a new deal.

At the same time, they saw Brook Lopez leave in free agency and shipped out Pat Connaughton, signaling a clear roster makeover built around their franchise centerpiece.

“But I wouldn’t just sort of put this one to bed. And next offseason is really then shaping up to be an interesting one because next offseason is when Giannis becomes extension eligible and it’s like four years 300 million, some crazy number I can’t remember what it is and that’s that’s the line in the sand. He either signs that or he doesn’t and then 26-27 is the last guaranteed year on his contract; he has a player option after that for $63 million,” Lowe continued.

Plenty can shift over the course of an NBA season. Although the chances of Milwaukee parting ways with Giannis Antetokounmpo this year appear minimal, the pressure could mount quickly if the Bucks fall short of their early expectations.

The Bucks pushed hard with win-now moves this summer, but only time will show if those choices put them back in contention. Milwaukee likely kept Giannis in town for another year, yet as Zach Lowe warns, the idea of a trade should not be ruled out.