Latest news with #JonHorst
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Giannis Antetokounmpo prepares for ‘very crucial' sit-down that could alter his career
Giannis Antetokounmpo prepares for 'very crucial' sit-down that could alter his career (Image Credit: Getty Images) Rumors of change trailed the Milwaukee Bucks after they lost to the Indiana Pacers on May 12, 2025. Now, there is a clandestine meeting in the works that may determine the direction of the team. Everyone waits with bated breath as to what will transpire when Giannis Antetokounmpo , the two-time MVP, meets Milwaukee Bucks leadership. The answer might come as early as mid-next week. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jon Horst to meet to discuss team direction NBA insider Chris Haynes on Saturday, May 17, 2025, reported that General Manager Jon Horst called Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to them, the gathering will be held at the Bucks' practice facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on dates from May 19 to May 23, 2025. The discussion will include the club's ambitions and Gianni's role in them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like CFD's: Investing $200 in Emaar Malls can give you a second income TradeLG Undo Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 and signed a 3 year maximum extension on July 1, 2023, which holds him under contract until 2028. His contract has a player option for the 2027-28 season, somewhere else. Jon Horst and team president Peter Feigin have indicated they'd like to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, losing again in the first round of the playoffs has been a concern-raiser. With Giannis leading, can this roster capture another title? Many believe that this upcoming encounter will show the answer. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Haynes share meeting information Chris Haynes stated that the Milwaukee Bucks "made contact with Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier today" on Saturday. He described the meeting as "very, very crucial" for both parties. Giannis Antetokounmpo's numbers continue to be elite; he averaged 28.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in the 2024-25 season, per ESPN. Only a trade can make Giannis Antetokounmpo move this season. The Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat are among the teams that have expressed interest. In case no match between the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo on how to move on, these teams would try to do a blockbuster trade . Also Read: 'You can't learn to be a natural born killer' — Charles Barkley explains why Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were more dangerous than LeBron James The Milwaukee Bucks are where all eyes are for now. Next week, when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the front office sit down, they will determine whether his future continues to be green in Milwaukee or turns elsewhere.
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Counting Bucks: Milwaukee Bucks 2025 Offseason Cap Sheet
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 27: Jon Horst speaks to the media during an introductory press conference of ... More Doc Rivers as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Milwaukee Bucks aren't completely underwater when it comes to their salary cap this offseason—but they're definitely treading water. And there's not much room to come up for air. General manager Jon Horst once again has a tricky puzzle in front of him. He'll need to get creative—maybe even surgical—to build a championship-caliber roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially with Damian Lillard likely sidelined for all or most of the upcoming season. Let's start from the ground up: who's under contract, how much space is left, and what tools are in the Bucks' front-office toolbox. Guaranteed Contracts (4) These four contracts already have the Bucks boxed into a corner—four players eating up nearly 86 percent of the salary cap. That leaves just $55.3 million to fill out the other 11 roster spots. As I broke down in the Bucks' Offseason Checklist, here's how the rest of the roster shapes up: Player Options (3): Non-Guaranteed Contracts (3): Unrestricted Free Agents (4): Restricted Free Agent (1): Portis is likely to opt out in search of a longer-term deal—either with Milwaukee or elsewhere. Kevin Porter Jr. could follow suit. Pat Connaughton, on the other hand, is expected to opt in; it's unlikely he'll see that kind of money on the open market. Milwaukee has some easy calls to make with its non-guaranteed deals. AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are no-brainers to retain at those numbers. Chris Livingston, however, has yet to move the needle and may not be worth keeping around. As for the free agents? It's a wide-open field. Anything can happen, and how the Bucks navigate that space will be telling. Cap Tools Available: It's a better toolkit than they've had in recent offseasons—but every tool comes with its own set of rules. Horst will have to work around those restrictions to squeeze out maximum value. For example, the Bi-Annual Exception can only be used if the Bucks don't dip into cap space. The Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception can be split among multiple players (which could help retain Trent Jr., Porter Jr., and Rollins—a potential home run). But using either exception would hard-cap the team at the first apron. Then there's the Trade Exception created in the Khris Middleton deal with Washington. Milwaukee can use it to bring in a player. In a trade, they can also aggregate contracts or even take back more money in a deal. If they find the right trade partner, this could be a key piece in reshaping the roster. Unfortunately, that's a big 'if'. It's going to be a delicate dance for Horst—one that requires finesse, foresight, and maybe a bit of financial sleight of hand. He has to prove to Giannis that the front office isn't punting on 2025-26. And he has to do it while filling seven roster spots with limited cash and assets. Whether it's a blockbuster swing or a bargain-bin rebuild, one thing's certain: the Bucks' offseason is bound to be anything but boring.
New York Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Milwaukee Bucks offseason overview: Salary cap situation, roster needs and more
It's been over a week since the Indiana Pacers knocked the Milwaukee Bucks out of the playoffs in the first round. For a third straight season, the Bucks' offseason begins much sooner than the organization anticipated. Milwaukee's ending left other NBA front offices hoping this would be the offseason where their dreams of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo might finally come true. But while the Bucks will need to think about Antetokounmpo for everything they do this offseason, that is no different than any other moment in any season or offseason since the Greek forward first blossomed into an All-Star. While Antetokounmpo's thoughts and desires require plenty of attention, there is also a full roster of guaranteed contracts and free agents, along with some draft assets, worth examining to see how this offseason may unfold. So, with that, let's set the stage for the Bucks' offseason by looking at the roster before Bucks general manager Jon Horst gets a chance to revamp it heading into next season. Salary cap overview Over the last few seasons, this space has typically explained how far the Bucks are over the salary cap and what they could do to avoid going over the punitive second apron. They still don't have wide-open cap space to use freely on supermax contracts and high-priced free agents. Yet, the Bucks will have more opportunities and avenues to improve through free agency rather than only being able to re-sign their own players and grab others on minimum contracts. Heading into next season, the Bucks have four players with guaranteed contracts: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($54,126,380), Damian Lillard ($54,126,380), Kyle Kuzma ($22,410,605) and Tyler Smith ($1,955,377). Those four contracts add up to $132,618,742, or roughly 86 percent of the projected salary cap of $154.6 million for the 2025-26 season. The Bucks will need to sign more players, but they would have roughly $55 million to fill out the rest of the roster and still stay under the luxury tax line of $187.9 million. Salary (in millions) Bucks' Guaranteed Contracts Along with the four players on guaranteed contracts, the Bucks also have: Three players with player options for next season: Bobby Portis ($13,445,754), Pat Connaughton ($9,423,869), Kevin Porter Jr. ($2,546,675) Three players with non-guaranteed contracts for next season: AJ Green ($2,301,587), Andre Jackson Jr. ($2,221,677), Chris Livingston ($2,221,677) One player that will be a restricted free agent: Ryan Rollins The Bucks will have various rights on the remaining four players on the 15-man NBA roster, so they will have some tools at their disposal to re-sign them, but Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. and Jericho Sims will be unrestricted free agents this offseason. In previous seasons, this would have been a rundown of all the things the Bucks would be unable to do because they were approaching or exceeding both aprons. This offseason, the Bucks will have more avenues for team building. While working through player options and guaranteeing non-guaranteed contracts will eliminate any chance the Bucks have at actual cap space, Horst will still likely be able to: Use the $14.1 million nontaxpayer mid-level exception, which can be split among multiple players Use the $5.1 million bi-annual exception (as long as the Bucks don't use cap room to sign any players) Use the trade exception — worth roughly $7.2 million — created in trading Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards Aggregate contracts in a trade Acquire a player in a sign-and-trade Take more money back in contracts than they send out in a trade It's worth noting that using the nontaxpayer mid-level exception or the bi-annual exception would hard cap the Bucks at the first apron next season. Also, for those curious about using cap space on free agents, even if the Bucks waive their non-guaranteed contracts and renounce all their cap holds and the three players with options decline their options, Milwaukee cannot create cap space larger than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. While there are still limitations on what he can do overall, Horst will have the chance to get far more creative this offseason and try some different things to fill out the roster around an injury — Lillard's torn left Achilles — that will be quite disruptive to team building. (Note: For those asking about a cap exception for Lillard's injury, disabled player exceptions are only granted when a team applies for the exception with the league and an NBA-designated physician or a Fitness-to-Play panel determines that the player in question is 'substantially more likely than not' to be unable to play through the following June 15. That doesn't seem likely to apply to Lillard's situation.) Roster needs After another disappointing end to their season, this should come as no surprise, but the Bucks head into this offseason with some big needs. With Lillard out for much of next season, the Bucks will need to see if they can add more scoring and creation at their guard spots. Some of this may be created internally if Porter — who averaged 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 26.9 minutes per game during the Bucks' eight-game win streak to close out the regular season — decides to return to Milwaukee, either through accepting his player option or signing a new contract, and improves in a second season playing alongside Antetokounmpo. Even if Porter returns and improves, though, the Bucks will need to find more players who can create pressure on the rim or break down defenders off the dribble. Both Trent and Green hit big shots in Game 5 against the Pacers, but nearly the entire Bucks' offensive attack relied upon Antetokounmpo controlling the ball and drawing help defenders. If the Bucks have Antetokounmpo take on the point guard adjacent role he played at the end of the season again next season, finding ways to lessen his playmaking workload will be essential. As always, the Bucks will need better perimeter defenders. This is just the reality of the NBA. Whether it is defending guards or playmaking wings, the NBA has grown to a point where every team has so many skilled players that rim protectors can no longer simply clean up the mess. While this has been listed as an area of need in some form or fashion during the offseason since we've been doing these offseason previews at The Athletic , this Bucks team specifically needs to improve in this regard. All season long, the Bucks struggled at the point of attack defensively. There were times when they did a better job against the league's top scoring threats on the perimeter — when Jackson was in the rotation and when the Bucks went with their bench unit in the starting lineup against the Pacers stand out as examples — but overall, it was a huge problem for the Bucks. If the Bucks are going to put themselves in a position to compete with the Cavaliers, Celtics and Knicks going forward, developing more on-ball defensive talent should be a priority next season. The Bucks' final needs will depend on which of their free agents they choose to retain. If they choose to guarantee Green's contract and re-sign Trent, 3-point shooting may not be as significant a need. But if the goal is building an offense solely around Antetokounmpo's ballhandling and gravity, the Bucks will need to maximize their 3-point shooting at every other roster spot anyway. If they choose to retain either Lopez or Portis, they will need to find more size to ensure they are not putting Antetokounmpo through too much of a physical toll on the defensive end. 2025 NBA Draft Currently, the Bucks have the rights to one draft pick in the upcoming draft. As part of the Middleton trade, the Bucks obtained the second-most favorable of the Wizards' second-round selections, which ended up being the No. 47 pick. The Bucks traded away their first-round selection in this year's draft as part of the trade that brought Jrue Holiday in Nov. 2020 and they moved their 2025 second-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a trade done to remove the protections that had been placed on their 2022 first-round pick, which was then included in the Holiday trade. Looking at future draft assets, the Bucks are pretty limited as well. To satisfy the Stepien Rule, which bars teams from not having first-round picks in consecutive seasons, the Bucks have the rights to first-round selections in 2026, 2028, and 2030, but those picks are tied up in swaps with other teams that will likely put those picks in the 20s. By getting under the second-apron, the Bucks opened up the possibility of trading either their 2031 first-round pick or 2032 first-round pick this offseason. Along with the No. 47 pick in this year's draft, the Bucks also hold the rights to a 'fake' second-round pick in 2026 (top-55 protected from the Utah Jazz) and their 2031 and 2032 second-round picks. (Photo of AJ Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo: Benny Sieu / Imagn Images)
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Milwaukee Bucks 2025 Offseason Checklist: Decisions And Dilemmas
The Milwaukee Bucks have a checklist this offseason that's longer than a Wisconsin winter. General manager Jon Horst is heading into a pivotal offseason filled with roster questions and financial implications. Not included here is the statuses of Doc Rivers or two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both are under contract for the 2025–26 season, and unless someone wants a change of scenery, those situations won't heat up just yet. For now, let's walk through the pressing personnel decisions the Bucks must make as they head into another pivotal summer. After pocketing $12.6 million this past season, Portis holds a $13.5 million player option for 2025–26. Whether he chooses to run it back or test the waters could come down to how much he values stability versus one last swing at a bigger payday. Acquired at the trade deadline, Porter Jr. gave Milwaukee an unexpected jolt off the bench. His $2.6 million player option seems likely to be declined — a bet on himself after rebuilding some stock in a Bucks uniform. Connaughton logged only 41 games — his fewest since year two — but he holds a $9.4 million option for next season. That kind of guaranteed money is tough to pass up, especially considering his limited market value. Expect him to pick it up. After a breakout year, AJ Green has gone from fringe roster guy to dark horse Most Improved Player candidate. The Bucks will likely guarantee his contract, but don't be surprised if they get ahead of the curve and lock him up with a modest extension. Once touted as Milwaukee's best on-ball defender, Jackson Jr. mysteriously vanished from the rotation after the trade deadline. At $2.2 million, his contract is a bargain — expect the Bucks to hold onto this versatile wing unless something unforeseen happens. Chris Livingston has been M.I.A. since being drafted with the 58th overall pick in 2023. With no real development or minutes to speak of, the writing appears to be on the wall. Milwaukee may finally cut bait here. Rollins quietly climbed the ladder from two-way status to a reliable bench contributor. Since he's a restricted free agent, the Bucks can match any offers — and they'd be wise to secure him on a team-friendly deal. He could fill a much-needed role as the backup point guard next season. The Bucks helped rejuvenate Lopez's career after scooping him up in 2018, transforming him into one of the league's top three-and-D bigs. But Father Time is undefeated. At 37 and slowing down, Milwaukee faces a tough call: run it back one more time or turn the page? Trent Jr. lit it up from deep, shooting a sizzling 41.6 percent from three. The Bucks would love to keep him — especially if a new coaching staff unleashes him with a larger offensive role. His market could determine how creative they'll need to be. Prince started 73 games, but the end of the road might be near. His defense has dipped, and with limited shot creation and explosiveness, Milwaukee may look elsewhere for fresh legs and more upside. A mobile big who fits modern defensive schemes, Sims has intriguing tools. But his lack of shooting chops clogs up the lane — and his future in Milwaukee may hinge directly on whether Brook Lopez returns or retires.
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Report: Bucks GM Jon Horst agrees to extension
The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to a multiyear contract extension with general manager Jon Horst, ESPN reported Thursday. The deal came together late Wednesday night between ownership and Horst's agent, Brian Elfus, per the report. Horst, 42, has been the Milwaukee GM since June 2017, winning NBA Executive of the Year honors in 2019 and leading the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years in 2021. Milwaukee has been to the playoffs in all eight seasons under Horst, who previously was the manager of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons (2007-08) and director of basketball operations for the Bucks (2008-17). This season, the Bucks (48-34) earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They trail 2-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series with the Indiana Pacers, with Game 3 on Friday night in Milwaukee. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
