Giannis Antetokounmpo took just 11 shots in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. It marked the Bucks' third loss of at least 18 points in four games -- and as the second half of the NBA season begins, a harsh dose of reality for Milwaukee.
As the Bucks remain publicly resistant to trading their superstar, ESPN's Tim Bontemps writes that the franchise is on an unsustainable path as long as Antetokounmpo is on the roster.
MORE: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo befuddled by shocking usage in ugly loss
The Bucks already had a limited pathway for improvement; news that Ja Morant doesn't want to leave the Memphis Grizzlies would have hit Milwaukee particularly hard, as the All-Star guard might have been available a relatively low cost.
Their lack of tradable assets to bring Antetokounmpo another co-star following the departure of Damian Lillard compounds an already-difficult situation with the Bucks' roster. Milwaukee is 3-11 when Antetokounmpo doesn't play -- but when the 10-time All-Star is in the lineup, the Bucks are an unimpressive 15-14.
"Given the franchise's lack of trade assets, a fortune-changing move to build around the two-time MVP might not exist," Bontemps writes.
As one-and-a-half games separate them from the #10 seed and a Play-In Tournament spot, maybe it is time for Milwaukee to take a more proactive approach in moving Antetokounmpo.
He could bring back a treasure trove of assets and salary relief as the Bucks begin to do the legwork on a loaded 2026 NBA Draft that would tip off a new era.
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