Currently, the Milwaukee Bucks are slated to have three tradeable first-round picks at their disposal on draft night next summer. If this coming season doesn't go according to plan and rumors resurface about Giannis Antetokounmpo's uncertainty about Milwaukee's ability to contend, it wouldn't be too surprising if the Bucks traded all of those picks in a bold blockbuster move to show they are all-in.
The Athletic's Eric Nehm hit the nail on the head during a recent appearance of Dunc'd On.
"When I hear people talk about the team and the level the team is at, it is discussed in a way that suggests this is the team moving forward. You get to the offseason, and you're going to have three first-round picks. If we've seen Jon Horst operate over the years, when his back is against the wall, he does not hit rebuild. He goes the exact opposite end of the spectrum.
If you need to mortgage more of the future, so be it. If that is what will be done to keep the big fella happy, to keep him around, okay, let's do it."
Bucks could be equipped for a blockbuster next summer
In recent years, whenever there have been rumors about Giannis' uncertainty of Milwaukee's ability to contend, the Bucks have made a major splash. Trades involving Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard have prompted contract extensions from Giannis. The same could not be said about the Bucks' big splash for Myles Turner this offseason, which only cranks up the pressure to win after that all-in move.
No matter how this season ends, the Milwaukee Bucks are well aware that they will have a handful of captivating picks and salaries to trade next summer. If Giannis is on the fence again, they can retool this roster in a major way once again. Whether it's for one standout or a handful of smaller upgrades, which seems more likely in the new NBA landscape, the Bucks will have the tools to go for it.
In short, if the 2025-26 season doesn't go according to plan, it might not spell complete doom for Giannis' future with the Bucks.
Just like this year, he will likely wait until he sees what kinds of moves the Bucks make before he makes up his mind. The rumored trade discussions between the Bucks and Knicks this summer, which were minimal, reportedly came in August. That gave Jon Horst plenty of time to make his own pitch to Giannis in the form of the new-look roster. The same could likely happen next summer.
Of course, there is no reason to speculate about doom and gloom regarding the Bucks. They have put together a nice retooled roster this summer, with a plan of playing fast and versatile in mind. That, along with staying healthy, could be the recipe to finally getting out of the first round for the first time since 2022. The Bucks might not even need to empty the asset cabinet to convince Giannis to stay.
All of this is far too down the line to worry about right now, but it's nice to know they will have it in their back pocket.
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