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While LeBron James' uncertain future always draws headlines, the buzz among NBA insiders at Las Vegas Summer League has zeroed in on the Milwaukee Bucks, and more specifically, the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In the days following the Bucks’ stunning acquisition of Myles Turner, NBA reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer revealed that several rival executives have reignited speculation around Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment to Milwaukee. That skepticism spiked after a now-viral moment during a livestream with YouTuber IShowSpeed, where Antetokounmpo hesitated just long enough before expressing his love for Milwaukee to fuel fresh questions about his satisfaction with the franchise's direction.
Those doubts didn’t stop the Bucks from going all-in this offseason. In a dramatic financial move, Milwaukee waived and stretched Damian Lillard, taking on a record-setting $22.5 million in dead money over multiple seasons, to create enough cap space to land Turner, the Indiana Pacers' longtime anchor and a two-way presence on both ends of the floor.
The move was orchestrated behind the scenes as Turner vacationed in Hawaii, with word from agent Austin Brown that the Bucks were a surprise suitor. It shocked the league and signaled Milwaukee's intent to win now, with or without Lillard, and keep their two-time MVP engaged for the long haul.
Bucks remain locked in on Giannis Antetokounmpo
At Friday’s introductory press conference in Las Vegas, Turner called the opportunity “a blessing.” At the same time, head coach Doc Rivers and general manager Jon Horst made clear this move was about building around Giannis Antetokounmpo, not bracing for life without him.
“Giannis came to me the day after the season and we were talking about next season already,” Rivers told reporters Friday. “So there's far more talk outside of Milwaukee than there is inside of Milwaukee. Giannis loves Milwaukee. We love Giannis, and it's been a great relationship. We've had some of our young guys in Greece already playing with him. I think we had six or seven guys go [to his country and] several coaches. So we are communicating a lot. It's about next year and it's about winning.”
To reinforce that connection, the Bucks even sent several players and coaches to Greece this summer to work out with Antetokounmpo, a gesture meant to reaffirm their commitment to him on and off the court.
The Bucks aren't finished in terms of their roster, bringing in Cole Anthony after his Memphis Grizzlies buyout. Milwaukee is also expected to re-sign Giannis' brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo. But one thing is clear overall: Milwaukee is betting big that Turner’s arrival will help silence the noise and keep Giannis Antetokounmpo exactly where they want him.
