The Milwaukee Bucks might have had the most interesting offseason of any team, but it might backfire.
Over the past few seasons, the Bucks have been trying to get back to their championship level. After Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to its first NBA title in 50 years in 2021, the team has been searching for ways to get back to the mountaintop.
From making a big trade for Damian Lillard to waiving and stretching the All-Star to make room for Myles Turner a couple of years later, the Bucks have never been afraid to take a risk. While those risks have helped keep Antetokounmpo generally content with the direction of the franchise, they are still risks, after all.
So, even if Antetokounmpo is set to enter next season and help the only team he’s ever played for compete in a depleted Eastern Conference, things might not go as planned. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, the Bucks might not be in the clear yet, even if their superstar is set to tip off next season in Milwaukee.
In Favale's article predicting the next stars to request a trade, Antetokounmpo earned the top spot on the list. Considering Milwaukee’s direction over the past few years, it would be far from surprising if Antetokounmpo asks out after repeatedly talking about the importance of winning another championship.
Whether that trade request comes midway through a rocky Bucks season or next offseason, Milwaukee must be prepared to make one of the most difficult moves in franchise history. Obviously, there’s always the chance that things go well and Antetokounmpo is a Buck for life, but in basketball, things often don’t go as planned.