The Milwaukee Bucks had a major “oh no” moment this offseason when they surprisingly cut Damian Lillard. The move didn\u2019t sit well with their biggest star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. There were immediate concerns that Giannis wouldn\u2019t respond well to the decision \u2014 and many believed a potential trade could be on the horizon.<\/p>\n
\u201cAntetokounmpo is reportedly open to exploring other teams outside the Bucks for the first time in his career, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania,\u201d Chris Cwik wrote.<\/p>\n
This was unfamiliar territory for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo has been the face of the franchise since his breakout years, and his loyalty has long been a point of pride. But Lillard was his partner in crime \u2014 and when healthy, the duo was dominant. Letting Lillard go only intensified the trade speculation surrounding Giannis.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the Bucks dropped out of the NBA Playoffs early once again in 2025, everybody wondered what\u2019s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo. When the Bucks waived Damian Lillard after just his second season in Milwaukee, reports surfaced claiming that Antetokounmpo was frustrated with the decision. Those rumors added more fuel to the fire,\u201d SI\u2019s Justin Grasso wrote.<\/a><\/p>\n Throughout the offseason, the Bucks have been searching for ways to convince Giannis to stay. On Sunday, they made a significant move in that effort by signing his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n \u201cThanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo played for Bucks from 2019\u201324. This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported.<\/a><\/p>\n