"One of basketball's greatest love affairs will reach its breaking point this week. On Tuesday morning, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo purged every social media photo from his 13-season career with Milwaukee, save a handful from their 2021 Championship run. The stunt occurred in the wake of a loss to the Washington Wizards, widely regarded as the weakest team in the league. Antetokounmpo additionally changed his X bio to a nondescript "NBA Athlete," sparking speculation of an incoming blockbuster trade."
"Antetokounmpo served as the centerpiece of Milwaukee's 2021 Championship roster, the first in five decades. To build that team, Bucks execs sacrificed eight key picks and swaps, including first-round picks in 2025 and 2027, in a multi-team blockbuster deal for Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday. In 2025, Milwaukee picked just once, with the 47th overall selection. The means justified the ends, but the Bucks are practically guaranteed an era of non-competition."
"With Antetokounmpo's 31st birthday this week, he faces a critical decision: waste his youth in Milwaukee, or demand a trade. The question remains as to which teams could afford him. Antetokounmpo's $186 million supermax extension runs through the 2026-27 season, with a player option for 2027-28. Finances aside, Bucks executives would likely demand enough picks to rebuild the team without their franchise player."
Giannis Antetokounmpo deleted nearly all social media photos from his 13 seasons with Milwaukee and changed his X bio to "NBA Athlete," provoking trade speculation. He joined Milwaukee in 2011, has earned two MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year, and nine All-Star selections, and ranks among the top power forwards in NBA history. He was the centerpiece of the Bucks' 2021 championship after executives traded multiple future picks for Jrue Holiday. The team is 9-13 after losing Holiday and Damian Lillard, leaving Milwaukee in a non-competitive window. A $186 million supermax through 2026-27 with a 2027-28 player option complicates potential trades.
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