As the Milwaukee Bucks face rising uncertainty this offseason, rival teams are intensifying their focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term outlook.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, four franchises—San Antonio, Houston, Miami, and New York—are actively monitoring the situation surrounding the two-time MVP.
“The Bucks do not control their first-round pick for the next five years. They can’t trade any of them,” Windhorst said Friday on Get Up. “I honestly do not see how the Bucks are going to be a team at the end of the week, we look at and say that’s a guaranteed top-4 team.”
Antetokounmpo is under contract through 2027 with a player option in 2027–28, but his silence this summer has added to the speculation.
“He’s just basically done his regular offseason—gone overseas and been with his family,” Windhorst added. “He did not apply pressure this offseason by sort of making it clear that he wouldn’t necessarily want to be there.”
Milwaukee was eliminated in the first round by Indiana in five games, capping a third straight early exit. Despite a 48–34 regular season, doubts about the Bucks’ ability to contend persist.
The front office’s limited assets have made it difficult to reshape the roster. The team has just one tradable first-round pick and minimal salary-matching flexibility.
Windhorst noted that other organizations have strategically positioned themselves in anticipation of a potential Antetokounmpo trade request.
“A lot of teams that think that they could trade for Giannis have been watching this very closely,” he said. “And teams like San Antonio or Houston, or Miami, or New York—they specifically have stayed off other major transactions.”
The Rockets, despite acquiring Kevin Durant earlier this month, reportedly preserved enough assets to remain in play for Antetokounmpo.
“In Houston’s case, [they] saved assets in the Durant trade to potentially chase Giannis,” Windhorst explained. “The reason they did that was because they not sure Giannis is going to look at the Bucks’ work and think that’s a team that can compete either.”
The Spurs and Knicks, both flush with young talent and draft capital, are also viewed as legitimate contenders in the event Antetokounmpo becomes available.
Miami, coming off a 37–45 season and barely making the East play-in, is another team believed to be preserving flexibility.
Shams Charania reported earlier that Antetokounmpo is “open-minded” about his future, though he has not formally asked for a trade.
For now, the Bucks are operating under the assumption that he will remain in Milwaukee—but the rest of the league is preparing for a different outcome.
