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Insider: Bucks' Acquisition of $107M Center Hints at Giannis Antetokounmpo's Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 10:14 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks have been active even before the NBA free agency started. They retained a bunch of valuable role players, including Bobby Portis Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince. They also added key free agents in Gary Harris and Vasilije Micic. But perhaps the biggest acquisition for the Bucks this offseason has been Myles Turner.

Many believed that Turner would return to the Indiana Pacers after reaching the NBA Finals. However, the Bucks were able to sign him to a four-year, $107 million contract per ESPN's Shams Charania. They upgraded their center position after Brook Lopez left Milwaukee to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Turner signing, though, led to the Bucks' waiving of All-Star guard Damian Lillard. It was a surprising turn of events in Milwaukee as many thought Lillard would stay longer as Giannis Antetokounmpo's co-star.

The decision to let go of Lillard didn't go well with Antetokounmpo, according to Chris Haynes' report on Tuesday. However, NBA insider Kevin O'Connor sees the new situation for the Bucks as a hint about the Greek Freak's future.

According to O'Connor, the recent moves the organization made could lead to Antetokounmpo staying in Milwaukee.

"I think all of this points to Giannis staying," O'Connor said. "I know Chris Haynes reported that Giannis is unhappy with how it was handled, we'll see how much of this develops.

"I think this is going to be a Giannis-centric team... If he does stay, you're thinking about the MVP a year from now, Giannis, his odds has to be moving up if he does indeed stay with the Milwaukee Bucks."

"I think all of this points to Giannis staying." @KevinOConnorNBA reacts to Myles Turner going to the Bucks and other clues this trade may have revealed ⬇️

(via The Kevin O'Connor Show)

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As the lone star for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will remain as the main focal point of the system in the 2025-26 season—if he stays loyal to the franchise. There hasn't been any report about what the two-time MVP wants for his future.

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

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