The Milwaukee Bucks’ “last-ditch” plan to stop superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo from leaving was stopped by Damian Lillard.
Antetokounmpo is weighing his options for the future, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania. While the Greek superstar loves Milwaukee, his priority is winning a second championship, so he is considering whether that is possible with the Bucks moving forward.
The Bucks are doing everything in their power to show Antetokounmpo that they can compete. They signed NBA Finalist Myles Turner after waiving Damian Lillard in an attempt to put some talent around their two-time MVP.
But in case of an emergency, the Bucks had one final trick up their sleeve to stop Antetokounmpo from leaving. Those plans were scuppered by Lillard, however.
The Bucks knew they were in dire need of another star to pair alongside Antetokounmpo. That was supposed to be Lillard, but his persistent injury issues prevented the Bucks from competing in the postseason.
Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf in March, which cast doubt over his playoff availability once again. That forced the Bucks to consider trading the nine-time All-Star.
Jamal Collier of ESPN wrote, “The Bucks’ offseason could have taken different paths had Lillard stayed healthy — from tinkering around the margins of the roster to add a new starting center to complement a growing relationship between Lillard and Antetokounmpo or potentially trading Lillard.
“That was a last-ditch strategy, a source told ESPN, the team could have explored in an effort to find another star to pair with Antetokounmpo.”
Lillard’s Achilles tear in the playoffs halted those plans, which tanked his trade value. The Bucks instead waived him before the Portland Trail Blazers signed him back.
Lillard was the Bucks’ ace in the hole. Not only were they not able to trade him, waiving and stretching the point guard’s contract means Lillard’s salary will count against their salary cap for the next five years.
Milwaukee sold their entire future to keep their star. They traded Jrue Holiday for Lillard and Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, shipping their championship-winning core in order to rebuild their roster on the go.
Then the Bucks signed Turner, committing a further $107 million over the next four years.
None of those moves have worked, and now the Bucks are out of options. If things don’t work between Antetokounmpo and Turner, it may well be over. They have no cap space moving forward and don’t have full control of any first-round draft pick through 2029.
They have done right by Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have desperately tried to show him that they are making moves to win another title for him. But in doing so, they’ve ruined their chances and sold out their future.
