The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed the newest head coach, Taylor Jenkins, for the first time on Wednesday. During Jenkins' introduction, however, there were questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo will enter the second year of his three-year, $175 million contract in the 2026-27 NBA season.
Antetokounmpo has expressed his desire to remain in Milwaukee and play out the rest of his career with the Bucks. However, recent playoff disappointments have linked him to several trade rumors. Heading into the offseason, one of the team's biggest concerns is whether or not the Greek Freak will stay.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam commented on Antetokounmpo's future and said that it remains unclear.
Haslam Said They Want to do What's Best for Giannis Antetokounmpo And the Organization
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"He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person," Haslam said. "He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization... We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks."
Haslam also gave the organization a deadline for getting a firm answer about Antetokounmpo's future. Before the 2026 NBA Draft, the owner claimed, would be a "natural time." If the former champion requests a trade, the Bucks would be able to get a lot of draft assets. However, he said that if the star decides to stay, the team will be built "differently.
Haslam also said that the ownership and front office didn't want Antetokounmpo's future to affect Jenkins' decision to join the franchise.
"We just said, ‘Listen, he may or may not be with us, so don’t come because of that.’ Because you wanna be straight up with people."
Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise has been in doubt since last summer, particularly following the Bucks' third straight postseason elimination in the first round. Many expected him to request a trade after Milwaukee waived his co-star, Damian Lillard. The star guard suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.
After the Bucks' decision, Antetokounmpo was reportedly "not pleased" with the team, and trade rumors became more widespread. However, the star forward remained with the organization, and the trade talks subsided.
Trade rumors picked up once again in the regular season heading into the Feb. 5 deadline. The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks were all linked to a potential trade for the superstar.
