Bucks Co-Owner: Extend or Trade Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens issued a firm ultimatum on the future of superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, stating the team will either extend his contract or trade him rather than allow him to play out the final guaranteed year of his deal in the 2026-27 season. The announcement, made amid the Bucks' struggling campaign and Antetokounmpo's injury-plagued year, has reignited speculation about the two-time NBA MVP's long-term prospects with the franchise.

Antetokounmpo, a 10-time All-Star and the driving force behind Milwaukee's 2021 NBA championship, enters the offseason eligible for a four-year maximum extension worth approximately $275 million starting October 1, 2026. His current contract includes a $58.5 million salary for 2026-27, followed by a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, positioning him for unrestricted free agency in 2027 if he declines the option. Edens emphasized the organization's policy applies broadly, not just to Antetokounmpo. "Giannis is going into the last year of his contract," Edens said in an interview. "So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded. The likelihood you'll let him just kind of play out...