Issues might begin getting freaky in Milwaukee … in a foul method.
The Bucks misplaced within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season, hoisting their rapid future into jeopardy with their longtime celebrity, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Might the “Greek Freak” be on his method out of the Midwest?
Let’s have a look at the percentages at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Might 2.
Bucks: -200 (wager $10 to win $15 complete)
Warriors: +800 (wager $10 to win $90 complete)
Rockets: +950 (wager $10 to win $105 complete)
Spurs: +1200 (wager $10 to win $130 complete)
Heat: +1600 (wager $10 to win $170 complete)
Lakers: +1600 (wager $10 to win $170 complete)
Nets: +1600 (wager $10 to win $170 complete)
Suns: +1800 (wager $10 to win $190 complete)
Thunder: +1800 (wager $10 to win $190 complete)
For the reason that Bucks gained the NBA title on the finish of the 2020-21 season, issues have progressively gone downhill.
The next season, Milwaukee misplaced within the Japanese Convention semifinals to the Boston Celtics in seven video games. Since then, the Bucks haven’t made it previous the primary spherical in three consecutive seasons, amassing a 4-12 postseason document in that point.
Making issues worse, their second celebrity, Damian Lillard, tore his Achilles on April 27, throughout Recreation 4 of Milwaukee’s first-round collection towards Indiana. He’s anticipated to overlook a good portion of subsequent season.
The place do the Bucks go from right here? Is it time to commerce their franchise cornerstone in Antetokounmpo?
Rumor is, that is the one option to go.
Lillard and Antetokounmpo are owed almost $300 million over the following a number of years, dealing a serious blow to their wage cap flexibility, and the Bucks additionally do not management their first-round draft picks till 2031.
In abstract, Milwaukee would not have some ways to get higher … exterior of buying and selling Antetokounmpo.
Whereas the Bucks are favored to retain Antetokounmpo, and the Greek celebrity has not mentioned he needs to be traded, there are a number of groups throughout the league that will probably provide a boatload for his providers.
Second on the board are the Warriors, who’ve already made a giant splash this season, touchdown Jimmy Butler through commerce in early February. Third is Houston, which has a wealth of younger expertise, in addition to Phoenix’s first-round decide in 2026.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter each day!
Get extra from Nationwide Basketball Affiliation Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
