The schedule has been released for the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Every team has thus turned their attention to what the future will hold, with matchups dictating strategies around the Association. The Milwaukee Bucks are in a unique position, however, with pressure mounting for a different reason.
With the release of the 2025-26 schedule, the Bucks have officially received word on which opponent may ultimately bring an end to the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Antetokounmpo is preparing for his 13th season in Milwaukee, but the tone is different than ever before. Even after the franchise moved mountains to acquire Myles Turner, there's a growing sense that a lackluster season could result in the superstar leaving the Bucks—perhaps even by the trade deadline.
With this in mind, one can't help but note that Milwaukee will be playing the New Orleans Pelicans in their final game before the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
The blueprint. pic.twitter.com/AytZCXKMSu
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 14, 2025
Unfortunately, there's a realistic possibility that the Milwaukee's clash with New Orleans on Feb. 4 will be the final game that Antetokounmpo plays in a Bucks uniform.
Bucks will play Pelicans in final game before trade deadline
Antetokounmpo's 12-year tenure with the Bucks has produced one of the most fruitful chapters in franchise history. Milwaukee won its second-ever championship in 2021, thus ending a 50-year title drought and a 47-year stretch without a trip to the NBA Finals.
Antetokounmpo has also secured a tremendous collection of individual accolades, including two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year nod, and nine All-NBA selections.
Unfortunately, injuries have played a definitive role in the momentum that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks created grinding to a halt. Khris Middleton missed 49 games in 2022-23 and 27 in 2023-24 before he was ultimately traded for polarizing fit Kyle Kuzma in 2024-25.
Damian Lillard was acquired to help set a new tone for the organization, but unfortunately tore his Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The decision was thus made to stretch-and-waive Lillard in order to make room to acquire Turner. It was a shocking development that seemed to convince Antetokounmpo to give Milwaukee another chance to help him win a title.
With limited flexibility to add more to the roster, however, the jury remains out on how much progress the Bucks have truly made.
Clearly, adding Turner is a better option than potentially going the entire 2025-26 season without Lillard. The goal in Milwaukee is to win another championship, however, and a 30-year-old Antetokounmpo may not be as patient as he was when he was younger.
As such, there's a strong possibility that the Feb. 4 clash between the Bucks and the Pelicans will be the last time Antetokounmpo is seen playing for Milwaukee.