Overview
- Co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam told ESPN they will either secure a new deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo or trade him rather than let him enter 2026-27 on an expiring contract.
- Antetokounmpo becomes eligible Oct. 1 for a projected four-year, $275 million extension that ownership says will drive the franchise’s decision.
- He is recovering from a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise with no structural damage, with reports saying the Bucks sought to shut him down as he pushes to play and expects reevaluation next week.
- League reporting says Milwaukee’s pre-deadline asking price was enormous, with Golden State’s offer of four unprotected first-round picks gaining little traction as the Bucks eyed young cornerstones such as Evan Mobley or VJ Edgecombe.
- Executives describe a rotating ownership structure that clouds who would approve a blockbuster trade, even as interested teams position themselves for a potential summer pursuit or 2027 flexibility.