Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens said the franchise will not allow Giannis Antetokounmpo to complete the final guaranteed season of his contract in 2026-27 without a new deal in place, telling ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that the two-time MVP will “either be extended or he’ll be traded.”
“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract],” Edens said. “One of two things will happen: either he will be extended or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll just let him play out the last year — we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization.”
Contract timeline and extension window
Antetokounmpo is earning $54.1 million this season. His deal includes a $58.5 million guaranteed salary for 2026-27 and a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. Beginning Oct. 1, the 31-year-old becomes eligible for a four-year, maximum-salary extension projected at about $275 million, though the final figure depends on the 2027-28 salary cap.
If Antetokounmpo signals this summer that he will not sign that extension, the Bucks plan to revisit trade talks that intensified before February’s deadline, sources told ESPN. Milwaukee would consider a move even if the forward does not formally request a trade.
Complex ownership structure fuels uncertainty
Rival executives are unsure who would make the ultimate decision on a potential Antetokounmpo trade because of the club’s rotating governorship. Edens holds controlling power for two more years, after which Jimmy Haslam will assume the role for five years beginning in 2028. Investor Jamie Dinan also takes part in major calls.
“It’s about who’s making the decision on whether to trade Giannis, and I don’t think anyone knows that,” one league source told ESPN. Another executive said day-to-day dealings can shift among ownership voices.
Although Edens described his partnership with Haslam as “unbelievably good,” Shelburne reported growing influence from Haslam, who bought Marc Lasry’s stake in 2023. After longtime team president Peter Feigin departed earlier this season, Haslam Sports Group executive Josh Glessing filled the vacancy. One club engaged in February trade discussions with Milwaukee negotiated directly with Haslam, sources said.
Asking price at the deadline
Multiple teams told ESPN that Milwaukee’s price for Antetokounmpo last month was “enormous.” One organization said the Bucks requested “all our draft picks and good young players.” Another executive noted the Bucks never presented a firm final demand, suggesting they preferred to keep their franchise star.
The Golden State Warriors offered four unprotected first-round picks, according to ESPN, but talks never gained traction. Milwaukee was said to be more interested in packages featuring a young cornerstone such as Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley or 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, though there was no indication Cleveland or Philadelphia would consider moving those players.
External views on Milwaukee’s options
While the Bucks are expected to present a maximum offer once Antetokounmpo becomes extension-eligible, several league executives told ESPN the organization might be better served by accepting the strongest trade proposal this offseason.
“He’s still a game changer, but he’s 31 with a history of leg injuries,” one executive said. “You’d basically be trading for a guy on an expiring deal, so I’m not sure the offers they’ll get this summer are going to be better than what they already got.”
The Bucks have not indicated a timeline for finalizing their course of action, but Edens reiterated that allowing Antetokounmpo to reach unrestricted free agency in 2027 is not an option.
Source: Hoops Rumors
