Recent reports from NBA insiders confirm that Giannis Antetokounmpo has no intention of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks—and the feeling is mutual. The franchise remains committed to building around its superstar, and major plans for the 2025 offseason are already taking shape.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Bucks’ front office is preparing to reshape the roster, which could include trading high-profile players like Damian Lillard. The goal? Re-center the offense around Antetokounmpo and maximize his impact on the court.
“Depending on his trade market, that potential pathway could have provided the Bucks with a new plan — one that revived the roster with depth while putting the ball back in Antetokounmpo’s hands even more than before, something he is known to welcome,” Nehm wrote, alongside Sam Amick.
However, that plan has hit a roadblock. Lillard, who made his ninth All-Star appearance this season, suffered a significant injury that will sideline him for an extended period. While he showed flashes of his elite talent, the injury now makes trading him an unlikely option.
In light of this, the Bucks may turn back to a proven formula—building around Giannis without a second superstar. It worked in 2019 and 2021, the latter culminating in an NBA championship with Antetokounmpo surrounded by strong role players who stepped up as needed.
The idea gained traction during the final stretch of the regular season, especially with general manager Jon Horst recently receiving a contract extension. When Lillard missed games starting March 18, Giannis took over as the team’s point forward and led them to an impressive eight-game winning streak between April 1 and April 11. During that run, he averaged triple-doubles and even made NBA history on April 3 with a 35-point, 17-rebound, 20-assist performance.
Clearly in his prime, Antetokounmpo has proven he can carry the team when needed. While trading Lillard might have been a bold but strategic move, it’s now off the table. To make matters more difficult, Milwaukee lacks trade assets—several players have underperformed in the playoffs, and the team is without a first-round draft pick next season.
Still, the Bucks are determined to recalibrate and return stronger. If the front office can get creative this offseason, fans may see a rejuvenated team built once again around Giannis as the undisputed leader.