Earlier this offseason, when the Bucks front office took a bold move to waive Damian Lillard, GM Jon Horst made it pretty clear that he does not want to waste Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime. It was a ‘now vs future’ decision. Knowing that Giannis’ contract still runs through 2026-27, Horst wanted to take another shot at their third championship. But despite Horst’s intentions to reload for a third title run with Giannis at the helm, fresh reports suggest the Greek Freak’s future in Milwaukee may no longer be set in stone.

It has been over 52 years since the New York Knicks won a championship, and after their recent playoff run, the Knicks’ front office is willing to do anything to end their drought. With Jalen Brunson on an affordable contract, if the Knicks start pushing for Giannis, it should not be a surprise, because New York’s interest in the Bucks star is not a secret anymore.

James Edwards III of The Athletic believes Mikal Bridges’ extension was not a coincidence. Edwards presented a scenario about how Mikal’s timely extension will help the Knicks go all out for Giannis, if such an opportunity comes. Adding more hype to Antetokounmpo’s trade rumors, NBA legend Matt Barnes’ recent take is even more unsettling for the Bucks fans.

Joining the latest episode of Big Shot Bob Podcast, Barnes said plainly, “I don’t think you can keep him, to be honest with you.” Barnes is of the belief that after years of unwavering loyalty, Giannis is finally at a crossroads. “This is not the day and age where superstars really sit around and go through rebuilds,” he explained. “I think he’s always been so loyal to a fault. Not to a fault, but for the first time, we’re starting to see him talk about maybe it’s time. ‘I’m going to buy a house in New York. I like New York.’ So, he’s kind of flirting around with it.”

Antetokounmpo, for his part, is still under contract with Milwaukee through 2026-27. He also has a player option worth $62 million for the following season. Still, the Wisconsin superstar’s loyalty is being tested by the team’s recent high-risk moves.

The Bucks’ desperate gamble that may cost them their MVP

While the Bucks aren’t looking to part ways with their franchise cornerstone—a player who recorded MVP-like numbers last year with 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists—their latest roster decisions are drawing sharp criticism. The team’s recent move to waive Damian Lillard and use a stretch provision on his contract, which adds a staggering $20 million in “dead money” to the Milwaukee Bucks’ payroll annually for the next five years, is being seen as a desperate gamble to keep Giannis happy.

On Hoops Talk, Allen Sliwa didn’t mince words, calling the move a full-blown Hail-Mary. He argued that the optics of the decision are terrible, making it seem less like a well-thought-out plan and more like an act of desperation. “It doesn’t come off like we know what we’re doing,” Sliwa said. “Bucks and Giannis aren’t any closer to winning an NBA championship. I think those days are over, and I think Giannis probably deep down inside knows that.” 

Milwaukee’s trade for Myles Turner may bolster the roster, but as Sliwa points out, it may not be enough to satisfy Giannis‘s championship-or-bust mentality. The stretched contract, a decision that will impact the team’s financial flexibility for half a decade, is a massive risk. If the new-look Bucks fail to contend, the team will be saddled with a crippling financial burden and a frustrated superstar.

This is the very scenario that would force Antetokounmpo to revisit his “winner’s mentality” and look for a way out—a situation that has teams like the New York Knicks already monitoring his every move.

As to when they pull the trigger, it will be anyone’s guess for now.