Drafted in 2013 into the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey is one that has been filled with many great moments for him as a player and the rise of the team. From being a two-time MVP to an awardee of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Giannis played his all, leading the Bucks’ first in 50 years, 2021 NBA championship. His decade in the franchise has positioned Giannis as the cornerstone of the Bucks as he dominates in performance and his contribution to elevating the Bucks. With great success of the player in the franchise, the Bucks have faced crossroads that could affect Giannis’ position in the team.
Giannis’ Legacy in the Milwaukee Bucks
Serving in the Milwaukee Bucks for over a decade and elevating the records of the franchise, Antetokounmpo has stood in the front line as the Bucks’ stats such as their score points, rebounds, assists and blocks, keep rising placing the Bucks on a pedestal. His consistency on the court is one to be recognized, and the recognition was elevated when Giannis scored a groundbreaking, 50 points in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals.
The title of leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship has shaped his career in basketball and positioned him as one of the greatest players in Milwaukee Bucks’ history. While the triumph of Antetokounmpo and the Bucks is noted, the team has faced several early playoffs exists for the past three seasons.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fighting will to win and effort on the court continues to excel, the Milwaukee Bucks may need to go back to the drawing board to draft their game plan. While proud and honoured to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo may be going down the trading route due to the struggles of the team.
Milwaukee’s Struggles and Uncertain Future
With players facing injuries that harm the performance of the team, the instability of the coaching staff and roster changes that may have been for the worse, the Milwaukee Bucks are placed in a position of major setbacks in the past couple of seasons. Depending heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have seen early exists due to the player not being a part of majority of the 2023 and 2024 playoffs.
Roster changes such as trading off Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, may have shown the desperation of the Bucks with the hasty decisions failing their efforts to win the championship. Highlighting the weight falling on Giannis, the playoffs that collapsed in their faces, Game 5 against the Pacers, showed a weaker team around one key player and lack of depth. The injury of Damian Lillard was also a great factor.
Bucks’ potential trade scenarios
With the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving the Bucks due to the lack of team assets to win without Giannis, the search for an NBA player matching up to Giannis and willing to be a part of the Bucks will be quite difficult. Conversations build around the potential landing spots for the player to be with teams such as the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks or even the Housten Rockets.
Exploring the Orlando Magic, Giannis can alongside players such as Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac and other players like him in strength. The Atlanta Hawks offers a player bond with stars such as Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. With Giannis possibly looking for his new home, the Bucks are faced with the decision of either convincing Giannis to stay and build a great roster around him or find young players to trade with him, possibly from the Miami Heat.
It’s been a decade of ups and downs in the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the star pushing his all for the team that established him in the NBA. While very grateful for the franchise, the decade was filled with mostly downs and the player needs to face this hard decision with the franchise competition fading. The Bucks facing injuries, a constant alteration of the coaching staff, and a roster that works against the team, the team needs to go to drawing board and figure out their next path. Is it keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo or continuing with the draft?
