©Benny Sieu - Imagn Images
It wasn’t that long ago when the Milwaukee Bucks and a 26-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo were NBA Champions after beating the Phoenix Suns in six games back in 2021. But, they’ve become less and less of a contender every year since, and now they’re at a crossroads.
After spending a ton of assets to acquire Damian Lillard prior to the 2023 season, the Bucks were hoping that adding the superstar would extend their title window and increase their chances of winning one. But, that’s not really what has happened, and after Lillard tore his Achilles during Game 4 of the team’s first round playoff series against the Pacers, the Bucks, down 3-1, may be getting blown up in the offseason.
It was somewhat of a minor miracle that Lillard was even playing in this series. In late march, he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his calf, which is a blood clot. Usually, those injuries keep players out for a couple of months because they have to be on blood thinners, which means that playing contact sports become hazardous. But, Lillard returned in time for Game 2 of the series, only to suffer this injury last night.
"This is a tough one, honestly. Blood clot, followed by [Achilles]. … He's just a great freakin' dude, as a teammate and a father. No one deserves it." ❤️
Doc Rivers speaks on Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/zt1XKVcmTv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2025
They’re down 3-1 in the series, Giannis’ sidekick will turn 35 this summer and will have to recover from a torn Achilles, and the rest of the core is aging. Plus, they don’t own their own first-rounder until 2031. The path to being a contender with this core is practically non-existent.
Giannis is now 30, meaning that he still has an insane amount of trade value. Could it be the time for the Bucks to trade one of the greatest players of all-time? That’s a hard pill to swallow for fans. But, he would bring back a ton of assets. Hypothetically, a trade with the Rockets could bring back players like Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, and Cam Whitmore, and juicy future firsts like a pick swap with the Nets in 2027 and an unprotected Suns pick that same year. That would rejuvenate the franchise with a young core and two picks that have a solid likelihood to end up high in the lottery in 2027.
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are going to be everywhere this offseason, and it might be time for the Bucks to make the move.