The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the most interesting teams in basketball over the past few years, and their superstar situation is only getting more intriguing.
Last season, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round for the third straight season. With another unsuccessful postseason, rumors flared about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.
While Milwaukee’s big swing for Myles Turner appears to have been enough to get Antetokounmpo to remain with the franchise going into next season. However, that doesn’t mean all is perfect in Milwaukee.
If the Bucks struggle out of the gate and fail to establish themselves as a championship contender, Antetokounmpo might want out sooner rather than later. In a recent Bleacher Report article, Grant Hughes noted that Antetokounmpo could be on the trade block at next season’s trade deadline.
As Hughes noted, Antetokounmpo’s potential departure and trade demand are much more about the Bucks’ shaky situation than the superstar’s desire to leave. While Antetokounmpo has made it clear repeatedly that he loves Milwaukee, he has also been just as adamant about winning another championship.
While there is no doubt that the Bucks are trying to do everything they can to ensure they can compete for a title, there is no guarantee that their efforts will be enough to secure Antetokounmpo’s long-term future.
After all of the rumors of Antetokounmpo’s future this summer, it would seem wild to see him find a new team in the middle of next season. Yet, if the Bucks can’t prove they belong at the top of the East, Antetokounmpo’s next playoff run might not be in Milwaukee.
