Milwaukee — Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday that the franchise hopes to determine Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status — either a trade or a contract extension — ahead of next month’s 2026 NBA Draft.
“I just think before the draft is a natural time,” Haslam told TMJ4 News reporter Karley Marotta, noting that general manager Jon Horst would need to secure significant assets if the two-time MVP plays elsewhere. “If he’s here, then you build the team differently.”
Haslam’s comments echo a March interview in which fellow co-owner Wes Edens told ESPN the club expected to resolve Antetokounmpo’s future within the next year. Speculation about the 31-year-old forward has persisted since last summer and intensified through the 2025-26 season, even after he remained with Milwaukee at February’s trade deadline.
Public friction surfaced during the season when Antetokounmpo and the organization disagreed over his return from a knee injury, and the star reacted negatively to Edens’ earlier remarks. Haslam, however, downplayed talk of a rift, calling the relationship “very positive.”
“Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years,” Haslam said, emphasizing the club’s respect for the seven-time All-NBA selection. “We will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization.”
Several clubs are already positioning offers. The Trail Blazers are among those preparing proposals, while the Magic, Heat, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Knicks were linked to Antetokounmpo before last season’s deadline.
The forward has neither requested a trade nor ruled out re-signing with the only NBA team he has played for. He becomes eligible to ink an extension in October, a timeline that could complicate Milwaukee’s goal of finalizing plans by June. Antetokounmpo may wait to assess offseason roster moves before committing.
Haslam said the front office was transparent about Antetokounmpo’s uncertain status during the search that landed new head coach Taylor Jenkins. He also acknowledged the franchise’s unusual ownership rotation, which will make him the Bucks’ governor in 2028, succeeding Edens.
Source: Hoops Rumors
