Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst said he has not committed to a specific plan for the roster or for superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as the organization enters the 2026 offseason. Speaking Thursday with reporters Eric Nehm of The Athletic and Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Horst stressed that every scenario remains in play, from keeping Antetokounmpo and adding talent to entertaining trade possibilities.
“The truth is I don’t know. We don’t know what we’re going to do today, and we don’t have to,” Horst said. “What we have to do is be very honest, very direct, make a big assessment.”
Draft Assets and Flexibility
Horst pointed to three tradable first-round picks—2026, 2031, and 2033—including a potential top-10 selection in June, as key tools for reshaping the roster. He noted the club also has movable contracts that could create salary-cap flexibility.
“Whether we need couples therapy or whatever, the assets will still be there,” Horst said when asked if he felt empowered to build around Antetokounmpo or pivot in a new direction.
Antetokounmpo’s Injury Status
The two-time MVP has not yet been medically cleared to return from his injury, despite his own belief that he is ready. “He’s not cleared to play yet in a game and we’re going to continue to evaluate it,” Horst explained. “It has everything to do with the health of the player.” The executive dismissed any suggestion that holding Antetokounmpo out was related to draft positioning or tanking.
Impact of Injuries
Horst said extended absences for Antetokounmpo and starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. limited the team’s competitiveness this season. He cited internal data showing Milwaukee possessed two of the NBA’s top-20 lineups in net rating and the league’s best offensive lineup over a meaningful sample size when healthy.
Doc Rivers’ Future
Horst praised head coach Doc Rivers for navigating “difficult circumstances” after joining the Bucks midseason. However, he declined to confirm that Rivers will return as head coach in 2026-27. “I don’t know the outcome; we’re gonna figure it all out,” he said, adding that a decision should come “pretty quickly.”
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Rivers is unlikely to forego the guaranteed money left on his contract, but a transition to another role within the organization is possible. League sources expect him to meet with Horst and team ownership soon to discuss next steps.
The Bucks finished the season outside the playoff picture, setting the stage for what Horst called “a pretty great opportunity” to reassess the roster before the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Hoops Rumors
