Last week, Giannis Antetokounmpo yet again reaffirmed his commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks. He's not asking for a trade. He wants to win in Milwaukee. And as long as he's here, that means the front office has to do the best to make this team a contender.
Clearly, in order to compete in this year's playoffs, they'd have to make a move. But Giannis' recommitment could also give the Bucks some breathing room. Maybe they add around the fringes, but they can also wait until summer to go all-in on a trade. If their franchise player is in it for the long haul, or at least through next season, there's no need to panic and overpay in a dubious move this February.
Once the season ends, the Bucks will have more draft chips to play with. Instead of making a swing-and-miss maneuver now, they would have the assets to pull off a trade more likely to make a championship-worthy impact.
If Giannis is as good as his word, the Bucks can plan accordingly
League rules dictate that teams can only trade picks a maximum of seven years in advance. In addition, they cannot leave themselves without a first-round pick in consecutive future seasons (the Stepien rule).
Right now, the Bucks have only one tradeable first-round pick under team control, either their 2031 or 2032 selection. While those are extremely valuable assets, having only one available limits what they can get back in a trade. With such strained resources, it also means the Bucks must be very cautious about parting with either pick.
All that will change this summer. Then, the Bucks will gain trade access to their 2026 first-round pick as well as their 2033 first-rounder. In all, they would have a maximum of three picks at their disposal: 2026, 2031, and 2033. They could trade all three and still satisfy the Stepien rule requirements.
Obviously, being able to move two high-value first-round picks, even with protections, opens up a world of trade possibilities.
What's more, Kyle Kuzma, likely an outgoing piece in any major move, would play on an expiring contract for the 2026 season. That should make more teams willing to take him merely as salary filler, even if they aren't interested in him as a player. Another key salary on the books in Bobby Portis would also have a year less on his contract. His deal ends with a 2027-28 player option.
Playing the long game is probably in the Bucks' best interests, as they could get a much bigger return by retaining their current assets and going all-in later. In reality, the front office, and perhaps even Giannis himself, do not have the patience. This team wants to win now. The Bucks aren't used to losing. The franchise has finished with a winning record and made the playoffs for nine straight seasons.
Ever aggressive, General Manager Jon Horst might see the current situation as an opportunity to double dip. Specifically, they can swing a deal now, using that 2031 pick, and they would still have their 2026 and 2032 selections to use this summer.
As long as they return worthwhile value that fits the roster, they can feasibly adopt either a patient or a present-minded approach. Let's assume Antetokounmpo keeps his word for now. While the Bucks remain under considerable pressure, a committed superstar also gives them options. Maybe this trade deadline is not the do-or-die crucible eathat rlier Giannis rumors made it out to be.