What now for Giannis, the Bucks and the rest of the NBA? - ESPN

Could Giannis Antetokounmpo finally be on his way out of Milwaukee?

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the Bucks are engaging with teams on possible deals for the two-time NBA's Most Valuable Player, opening the door to the possibility that Antetokounmpo — currently sidelined with a calf strain — has played the final game of his Hall of Fame career with the team that drafted him in 2013.

After Milwaukee's 139-122 loss in Philadelphia Tuesday night, the Bucks are now tied with the Charlotte Hornets for 11th in the East standings — a full three-and-a-half games behind the Atlanta Hawks for 10th place, and with it the final play-in spot, in the conference.

More importantly, the loss has Milwaukee in a tie for seventh place in the NBA's Draft Lottery standings — and, with now a 3-12 record without Antetokounmpo sidelined this season, plenty of opportunity remaining for the Bucks to put themselves in even better position to get lucky in what is a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class.

A trade season that so far has only seen one move — the deal that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards earlier this month — has been waiting for just this kind of catalyst to potentially pop off.

What does it mean for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo and the rest of the NBA? Our NBA insiders break it all down here.

Quick links:
What 29 teams could offer for Giannis
Trade machine | Guide for all 30 teams
More trade deadline coverage

Antetokounmpo's frustration has been building all season long.

He began the 2025-26 season willing to give Milwaukee a chance to build a competitive team around him. But as the Bucks have descended down the Eastern Conference standings, Antetokounmpo has grown more forceful in his critiques.

A week ago, he called out