The Milwaukee Bucks have approached Giannis Antetokounmpo about sitting out the remainder of the 2025-26 season, according to NBA insider Sam Amick.
Amick reported on March 18 that the organization raised the possibility, but the former MVP “remains uninterested in such an approach,” signaling his intent to return once healthy.
Milwaukee’s record stands at 28-40, placing the team 11th in the Eastern Conference and outside the play-in picture.
The gap to the 10th seed is significant at this stage, with limited games remaining and recent results trending in the wrong direction.
The discussion comes as Antetokounmpo deals with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, an injury that already has him sidelined with a re-evaluation scheduled within a week.
From a basketball perspective, the injury timeline intersects with the standings, making a shutdown a logical option for a team facing long postseason odds.
Even in a shortened season, Antetokounmpo has maintained elite production.
He is averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field, numbers that reflect efficient interior scoring and consistent playmaking.
His shot profile remains heavily weighted toward the paint, with 15.4 two-point attempts per game at 64.7%, reinforcing his role as the primary rim pressure creator.
However, Milwaukee’s supporting structure has not converted that efficiency into wins.
Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 17.4 points and 7.4 assists as the lead guard, while Ryan Rollins adds 16.8 points on 41.2% shooting from three-point range.
Frontcourt contributors Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner provide spacing and rebounding, but the group has lacked defensive consistency, especially during recent losses.
Turner’s calf issue, which kept him out of the March 17 game against Cleveland, further limits interior protection during a critical stretch.
The Bucks have struggled to sustain two-way execution, reflected in a 2-8 record over their last 10 games.
That stretch has effectively pushed the team out of realistic postseason contention, increasing the relevance of long-term planning.
Shutting down Antetokounmpo would allow Milwaukee to prioritize recovery while evaluating younger rotation pieces in expanded roles. It would also reduce the risk of aggravating a knee injury in games with limited competitive stakes.
