All good things must come to an end, and in the case of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, they should've already ended. As ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania detailed in his latest piece, the relationship between the two sides has deteriorated to the point where it feels like a trade is the likely route the organization will take this summer.
"The Bucks will be open to trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo, and the highest levels of the organization have come to terms with the inevitability of a likely deal coming to fruition this offseason, sources told ESPN."
It's strange reading that sentence and feeling a sense of relief because in a perfect world, the 31-year-old would retire with Milwaukee, after winning another championship or two, of course. Fans don't necessarily want to see him on another team, but we're past the point of needing to rip the band-aid off.
The Bucks can't move forward until a trade happens.
Bucks have finally accepted that it's time to trade Giannis
The front office acquired Damian Lillard in a multi-team trade in 2023, sending Jrue Holiday to Portland. He went on to play an instrumental role in Boston's 18th championship, while Milwaukee's season ended in the first round for the second straight year at the hands of Indiana, as it did last season, too.
Last summer, the Bucks reached a new level of desperation by waiving-and-stretching the remainder of Lillard's contract to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal — all in an effort to keep Antetokounmpo around and contend for a title. Ha, so about that.
Milwaukee can't afford to use what will be a lottery pick in a trade to try to appease Giannis, an idea that was floated around. Due to the Holiday and Lillard trades, the Bucks don't control their next first-round pick until 2031. With all the talent in this year's lottery class, they can't afford to do anything other than bring in a top young player to build around.
First, Antetokounmpo has to go.
There is no repairing this relationship. As Charania reported, Giannis indicated on several different occasions that he wants a trade, including before the deadline. Things have been off all season long, and it's not solely because of Antetokounmpo, but questions about his future have been hanging over the organization like a dark cloud.
They can't move on until they agree to a trade. It's not the ending that fans had in mind, especially since it feels like it will be more of a nasty breakup, but the Bucks can't keep prolonging the inevitable and digging themselves into an even deeper hole. It's been long enough.
What Giannis has done for Milwaukee will always be appreciated, but it's time to appreciate him from afar, except for when he returns as a guest.