After appearing in only 36 games during the 2025/26 campaign because of multiple injuries, Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the summer fully healthy for the first time in several years. The 31-year-old forward told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he is eager to spend the coming months refining his skills without the limitations of rehab or a grueling schedule.
“From January until training camp I can work on anything I want,” Antetokounmpo said, noting that an empty gym allows him to experiment, make mistakes and improve without outside pressure. The two-time MVP added that public skepticism about his durability and performance serves as additional motivation heading into next season. Asked which roster he expects to represent, he replied only, “We’ll see.”
Bucks Highlight Accountability Under New Coach Jenkins
Accountability was a central theme when Milwaukee introduced head coach Taylor Jenkins, a message that resurfaced during the NBA Draft Combine. Prospects interviewing with the Bucks said team officials emphasized consistent effort and punctuality—a point that drew attention after center Myles Turner recently claimed former coach Doc Rivers did not fine players for being late. Turner also labeled Antetokounmpo the teammate most likely to arrive tardy.
Projected lottery guard Mikel Brown described his meeting with Jenkins as “a hard-coaching conversation” focused on areas for improvement. “I like being held accountable,” Brown said. Other prospects who confirmed combine discussions with Milwaukee include Darius Acuff, Nate Ament, Brayden Burries, Cameron Carr, Chris Cenac, Aday Mara, Labaron Philon and Keaton Wagler. The Bucks own the No. 10 pick in June’s draft.
Key Offseason Decisions Await Front Office
Spotrac’s Keith Smith lists Antetokounmpo’s future—whether to keep or trade the nine-time All-NBA forward—as Milwaukee’s highest-stakes decision. Beyond that, guard Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to decline his $5.4 million player option in pursuit of a richer deal; Smith projects the 26-year-old could re-sign on a multiyear contract worth $12–16 million annually. Restricted free-agent forward Ousmane Dieng is also seen as a strong candidate to return, with a possible agreement in the $10 million-per-year range.
The Bucks will balance those contract calls with draft preparation and the franchise’s ongoing push to return to title contention after missing the 2026 playoffs.
Source: Hoops Rumors
