Bucks president responds to escalating Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors
The nine-time All-NBA big man, 30, has widely been expected to be at least exploring his trade options this summer. Nine-time former Milwaukee All-Star point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during the team's first round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, an ailment that could easily sideline him for all of 2025-26.
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Rather than wait for the 35-year-old to recuperate, the Bucks stretched and waived the remaining two season and $112.6 million on Lillard's contract.
Although the Bucks will now be paying Lillard $22.5 million in dead money to not play for them over the next five seasons, the team carved out enough cap space to make an unexpected free agent splash, inking 3-and-D former-Pacers starting center Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal.
Still, is adding Turner and a fairly washed-up Gary Harris — along with several of the Bucks' own free agents — enough for the club to compete in the Eastern Conference?
Will Antetokounmpo, who brought Milwaukee a championship in 2021, be okay with quite possibly spending a fourth straight year in his playing prime as a first round punching bag? Or will he finally demand a trade out of town?
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Feigin spoke at length with Channing Frye and Jared Greenberg of NBA TV on the state of Antetokounmpo's relationship with Milwaukee. They were sitting in on a broadcast of a Summer League clash between the Bucks and the L.A. Clippers.
'We kind of laugh internally, it's where we've been for 10 years,' Feigin said. 'Giannis loves Milwaukee, Milwaukee loves Giannis. We're in a good place. We feel great about it. It's business as usual."
'I think we get kind of a fun little joy in everybody else thinking they know what's going on and what the clickbait is, but for us, we're in a good spot. Giannis is in a good place," Feigin added. "He's enjoying the summer, and we're looking forward to next season.'
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MORE NEWS: Clippers center Brook Lopez reflects on end of seven-year run with Bucks
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