Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst has officially gone all-in on a win-now roster aimed to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo placated and in Wisconsin. Two weeks out from their season debut, the Bucks got an ill-timed report from ESPN’s Shams Charania that strongly hinted at a future blockbuster involving Antetokounmpo.
Charania’s report wouldn’t exist if Horst’s all-in effort got approval from the $54 million former Finals MVP. The intel leaked from someone’s camp, and it certainly doesn’t benefit Milwaukee right now.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes the roster movement this offseason only temporarily quieted rumors. Interesting timing from Marks, who shared that warning a day before Charania’s damning report, which linked Antetokounmpo to the New York Knicks.
“Bucks GM Jon Horst has exhausted all options while attempting to build a contending team around Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Marks wrote.
“Horst traded for Kyle Kuzma at the trade deadline and then — at the expense of Damian Lillard and Pat Connaughton — signed Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, Jericho Sims, Cole Anthony, Chris Livingston and finally, Antetokounmpo’s brother Thanasis.
“The acquisitions left Milwaukee with no second-round picks and only one first in either 2031 or 2032 available to trade. The Bucks also have $20 million in dead cap space over the next five seasons after waiving Lillard.
“The roster turnover has quieted rumors about Antetokounmpo’s future — at least for now.”
The Bucks added Myles Turner, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the latter of whom has been on the team before due to his connection to Giannis, to their mix. Milwaukee retained Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, Jericho Sims, and Chris Livingston.
We’ll see if this is a winning mix. Antetokounmpo is gone if not. Stretching and waiving Damian Lillard was the beginning of the end if this season doesn’t end with or close to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
