Antetokounmpo has not asked for a trade, but Milwaukee's ability to build a championship roster around him appears constrained. So now what?

After the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the first round by the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, trade rumors began to surface. Most of the trade talk involves Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Many believe he will request a trade after being ousted in the opening round of the postseason for a third year in a row.

The Milwaukee Bucks remain “hopeful” that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not request a trade this offseason following their third straight first-round playoff exit, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. " (Milwaukee) isn't going to entertain the prospect of trading its face of the franchise until it has to," Stein wrote.