Bucks aim to resolve Antetokounmpo's future before draft

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam stated Wednesday that the team aims to resolve Giannis Antetokounmpo's future before the NBA Draft on June 23, seeking clarity on whether the two-time MVP will sign a contract extension or depart.

Haslam spoke during a news conference introducing Taylor Jenkins as Milwaukee's new head coach, alongside general manager Jon Horst and co-owner Wes Edens. Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Bucks since being drafted in 2013, becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1. Without it, he could enter free agency after the 2026-27 season.

"I just think before the draft is a natural time," Haslam said. "Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we ought to get a lot of assets, and that's general manager Jon Horst's job to do it. If Antetokounmpo's here, then you build the team differently."

The Bucks finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 32-50 record, ending a nine-year playoff streak amid injuries that limited Antetokounmpo to a career-low 36 games. Tensions arose publicly when the team shut him down in March due to a left knee hyperextension, though Haslam emphasized open communication....