Giannis Antetokounmpo has grown open to the possibility that his best long-term fit may not be with the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Antetokounmpo hasn't made any final decisions, but his agents are expected to discuss the 30-year-old's future with Milwaukee's leadership this offseason, Charania adds.
The Bucks, who don't control their own first-round pick until 2031, are reportedly likely to draw increased interest in Antetokounmpo this week as executives gather in Chicago for the draft combine.
Questions about the franchise's direction will also revolve around the status of All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who tore his left Achilles tendon in Game 4 of Milwaukee's first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. He's expected to miss a significant portion - if not all - of the 2025-26 campaign. Lillard will be 36 heading into the 2026-27 season, while Antetokounmpo turns 32 in December of that campaign.
A two-time MVP, nine-time All-Star, and eight-time All-NBA selection, Antetokounmpo is under contract through at least the next two seasons. He's slated to earn approximately $54.1 million next campaign and $58.5 million in 2026-27 before deciding on a $62.8-million player option for 2027-28, per Spotrac.
Antetokounmpo eclipsed 30.4 points per game for a third straight season in 2024-25, his 12th campaign since being drafted 15th overall in 2013. He also averaged 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, and led the league with 11.8 made field goals per contest.
However, the Bucks placed fifth in the Eastern Conference - their worst regular-season finish since 2017-18 - before the Pacers eliminated them in the first round for the second straight year. Antetokounmpo registered 33 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in the series, though Gary Trent Jr. was the only other Buck to average 15 points or more.
Milwaukee has reached the second round just once in four playoff trips since its 2021 championship, losing to the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series in 2022.
