Bucks Keep Giannis, Sign Turner, Need Shooting

The Milwaukee Bucks spent the offseason doing everything possible to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, waiving-and-stretching Damian Lillard’s remaining $113 million to create cap space to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal and adding Cole Anthony and Gary Harris while re-signing Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins and Taurean Prince. The front office has explicitly chosen to remain competitive rather than fully rebuild, but trade chatter has persisted around Antetokounmpo, with the Golden State Warriors floated as a dream target and various proposed packages discussed leaguewide. Antetokounmpo has not requested a trade and appears set to play for Milwaukee in 2025-26, though a 2027-28 player option in his contract creates a future window of uncertainty as other stars approach free agency. Analysts and reporters say the Bucks still need more three-point shooting and secondary scoring—players such as Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis (and, in some takes, Kyle Kuzma) must step up for Milwaukee’s title hopes. If those supporting pieces don’t materialize, Milwaukee will face renewed pressure to either pivot to a full rebuild via major trades or double down on keeping their franchise cornerstone.