Bucks' GM Horst says trading Antetokounmpo 'very difficult' - ESPN

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst called the move to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo a «very difficult decision,» but he added that it was a transition that was in the best interest of both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo.

«No one's sitting here today and saying that we're a better team today after trading Giannis,» Horst said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. «He's one of the greatest players to ever play, greatest player in the franchise history. We've had an incredible amount of success.

»For us, it was just about the opportunity to build and to again, set a foundation. Can we set something in place with a new coach and take advantage of an opportunity to truly build from a place of strength on a roster that hopefully makes our city proud, our franchise proud and gets us to the place where we are competitive? And we can sustain that competition and that competitive level year in and year out."

It has been two weeks since Milwaukee agreed to trade Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for a package that included four players, three first-round draft picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick. Horst said he chose Miami's package because of the added flexibility the draft capital and the ages of the players gave the Bucks going forward as they try to establish a new foundation after 13 years with Antetokounmpo on their roster.

And although he said the end of Antetokounmpo's tenure presented him with a «wide range of emotions,» he said he is optimistic about building a new future in Milwaukee.

«There is a sense of excitement because it's a different challenge,» Horst said. «It's something new.

»I get excited about trying to put pieces together. We've got a lot of work to do.

«And if there's any sense of peace,