Giannis Antetokounmpo stands as the most highly anticipated star heading to the 2025 NBA offseason.
After yet another disappointing NBA Playoff campaign and a murky pathway ahead, all eyes are watching how the future between the Greek sensation and the Milwaukee Bucks will soon unfold.
The loss against the Indiana Pacers in a crushing Game 5 finish, marked the third-straight year that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have endured a first-round exit.
Their elimination couldn’t be more brutal as Damian Lillard sustained a career-altering Achilles injury that may sideline the star point guard until the 2026-27 season.
Although Antetokounmpo himself remained quiet about his long-term stay in Milwaukee, fans were left intrigued about his cryptic social media post recently which some interpreted as a possible goodbye.
Bill Simmons asks one player for the Bucks to get in a potential Giannis trade with OKC
Should Antetokounmpo become available this forthcoming summer, several asset-loaded teams will definitely be scrambling to get him.
The Brooklyn Nets are often being touted as the most interested team for the service of the superstar big man, but potentially having the talent of projected 2025 top overall pick Cooper Flagg may alter their consideration for Antetokounmpo if they come out number one in the NBA Draft Lottery.
NBA reporter Brandon Robinson notes that the New Orleans Pelicans will certainly put franchise star Zion Williamson on the table if the Bucks star will be on the market.
But out of the most of the teams that are highly capable enough to get Antetokounmpo, the Oklahoma City Thunder stand as the most compelling as they are projected to have a staggering 13 first rounders and 17 second-round picks over the next seven years.
As tempting as it might be for the Bucks to get the most of the future picks they can from the Thunder in a possible Antetokounmpo mega deal, Bill Simmons thinks that Milwaukee still needs to ask for Chet Holmgren before pulling the trigger.
“I think if OKC doesn’t win this year, they have to really think we’re really close, how do we not win the title? We were favored. All the maths said we’re gonna win the title,” the NBA analyst said.
“If they don’t, if they get bounced in one of these next three rounds. I think that’s the, the biggest overreaction team. Even though [Sam] Presti doesn’t overreact, I think you’d have to really think about it. Like what’s the point of having all these assets and all these picks if you’re not gonna cash them in at some point.
“You insist on Chet, right? If you’re, if you’re Milwaukee, you’re like Chet has to be in it. I’m not even discussing this unless, call me back when Chet’s in the trade.”
Will it be totally worth it for OKC
Holmgren stands as the OKC’s anchor of their present and future contention.
The former No. 2 overall pick was hit with a brutal right iliac wing fracture in November that disturbed his momentum and kept him out for nearly three months.
Still, the big man capped off 2024-25 with a solid averages of 15.0 points, 8.0 boards, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks.
Although he missed a significant portion of the Thunder’s historic 68-win outing, it can’t be denied that Holmgren remains an integral element of the team’s success. And in a probable deal for Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City must ask itself if it would be worth it to take the risk by remodifying their structure and let go one of their key driving forces.
Besides Holmgren, the Thunder will also be required to part ways with several of their high-impact role playing members which may include Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace, to name a few.
For now, OKC shouldn’t worry about anything in the offseason as they are perfectly positioned to win it all. Regardless if they will be the NBA champions or not this 2025, they must remain confident about their elite core headlined by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
