Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks Future Hinges on Upcoming ‘Line in the Sand’ Decision, Says Insider

Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) and forward Jarace Walker (5) in the third quarter during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

An insider believes Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks future could come down to a critical moment.

On a new episode of his The Zach Lowe Show, The Ringer's Zach Lowe weighed in on just how tenuous Antetokounmpo's long-term outlook with the team that drafted him could be.

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"I wouldn't just sort of put this one to bed," Lowe said. "Next offseason is really 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 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. Holy smokes these salaries are getting high."

Presumably, it would take some significant improvement on the court to convince Antetokounmpo to finish his prime with the team that drafted him at No. 15 (an absolute steal for one of the best 30 or 40 players ever) in 2013.

Recent Playoff Struggles

The Bucks haven't advanced beyond even the first round of the playoffs since 2022, and are now down to just three holdovers from their 2021 championship squad: Antetokounmpo, his brother Thanasis (a non-rotation player), and sixth man big Bobby Portis Jr.

"And if he wants to put pressure on the organization, that's how to do it," Lowe said. "I think even had he sort of made a soft request this summer, the Bucks would have said, 'No, we're not doing that. We're not trading you. You have two years left on your contract, plus the player option, we don't have to do that.' And I think he probably looked around, and said, 'What better option is there now?'"

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Lowe observes that the depleted Eastern Conference could at least prove somewhat vulnerable to an Antetokounmpo-plus-role players Bucks roster. The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, who are both missing their best players due to Achilles tendon tears, appear to be embracing "gap year" approaches to 2025-26. The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks both have significantly stronger rosters on paper, as do probably the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.

But Lowe, at least, thinks that any number of these contenders could be felled by a team that boasts the best player in the East.

"And then you look at the East, and it's like, 'Who are we really scared of?' I don't think the Bucks could win the East... but they do have Giannis, they do have the best player in the conference," Lowe added.

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