Bucks Open Preseason in Miami as Giannis Returns and Roster Reshapes

The Milwaukee Bucks will open their 2025 preseason on Monday in Miami with questions about roster balance and the health of their franchise player. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the United States on October 3 after representing Greece at EuroBasket and testing positive for COVID‑19 overseas, rejoining Bucks training camp as the team prepares to face the Heat at the Kaseya Center on October 6. He is ramping up conditioning but remains short of full strength, team officials said.

Antetokounmpo, a two‑time MVP, acknowledged the illness affected his body, saying, "Obviously, I think it took a toll on my body. I'm not feeling 100 percent yet, physically. Just take it day by day... I got 18 days until the first game, so I think I'll be fine." His return comes after a summer in which Milwaukee retooled its roster, waiving Damian Lillard and signing center Myles Turner, guard Cole Anthony and wing Gary Harris. The moves were designed to shore up frontcourt defense and create salary flexibility, but they leave open questions about primary ball handling and playmaking.

The Bucks have emphasized that the preseason will be critical to building on‑court chemistry and clarifying...