Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks seems to be at a crossroads. In a recent interview, Bucks co-owner Wes Edens made it clear he doesn’t envision the superstar playing the 2026-27 season without a new deal.
“Giannis is entering his last year of his contract. So, it’s going to go one of two ways: either he gets extended, or he’s traded,” Edens stated.
He further emphasized that while there’s a possibility of Giannis performing as he did last year, it’s not a feasible option for the organization. “It’s not just about Giannis; that applies to any player in their final year,” he explained.
Currently, Antetokounmpo has one more year left on his three-year, $186 million contract extension, which also includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.
Edens’ remarks add another chapter to what seems like an ongoing saga between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo, who has been with the team since they drafted him in 2013.
Recently, it came to light that Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a slew of injuries this season—calf, groin, knee, and ankle issues—and there have been disagreements between him and the team regarding whether he should sit out while recovering from a left knee injury.
Reports from ESPN indicate that Giannis is determined to return to the court this season unless further injuries arise.
As for the Bucks, they find themselves trailing the Hornets by seven and a half games for a spot in the Eastern Conference’s final play-in tournament.
Despite ongoing trade rumors, the Bucks decided to keep Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, indicating their intent to hold onto him for now.
This season, when healthy, he’s been averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, along with an impressive 62.4 percent shooting rate across 28.9 minutes played per game.
