The Milwaukee Bucks are awaiting a final decision from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek power forward is evaluating his options ahead of the 2025–26 season, and now an NBA insider has shed light on the factors behind that process.
“He wants to compete for championships,” said Shams Charania on Get Up, discussing the motivations that could influence Giannis’s decision in the coming weeks—whether that means staying in Milwaukee or seeking a new destination elsewhere.
At 30 years old, the power forward is focused on making the most of his remaining prime years and chasing another championship like the one he delivered for the Bucks in 2021, when he led the franchise to its first title in 50 years. But to do that, he’ll need support from top-tier talent—something Milwaukee currently struggles to provide, especially in light of Damian Lillard’s injury.
“A lot of observing. He’s been there for 12 years, so there’s going to be that equity given to the Bucks,” Charania noted. “See what they do during the draft week, free agency week. How much can they improve this team in their moves.”
Bucks’ Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tendon injury and underwent surgery in early May.
The Bucks’ decisions in the near future will be crucial in determining whether Antetokounmpo commits to a 13th season with the franchise—or requests a move for the first time since entering the NBA in 2013.
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Still, a final call doesn’t appear imminent. “His future won’t be tied to the draft, it won’t be tied to free agency,” Shams Charania explained. “If there is a resolution on Giannis Antetokounmpo, it could be later in the summer.”
So far, the Bucks’ roster construction for the 2025–26 season has gotten off to a quiet start. Unlike other franchises that picked up young talent expected to make an immediate impact, Milwaukee didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their first selection came with the 17th pick of the second round on Thursday—the 47th overall.
On Thursday night, the Bucks selected Bogoljub Markovic in the draft. The 19-year-old Serbian power forward, who stands 6-foot-11, has been making a name for himself since 2023 with Mega Basket—the same club where Nikola Jokic played before arriving in the NBA.
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