Giannis Antetokounmpo open minded about leaving the Milwaukee Bucks Report

LOS ANGELES – For the first time in his career, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is open-minded about playing elsewhere, ESPN reported on Monday.

The two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player is reportedly exploring whether his best long-term fit is to remain in Milwaukee or move on after 12 seasons, nine All-Star selections and one championship with the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo, 30, averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 2024-25, before Milwaukee suffered their third straight first-round play-off exit.

He is under contract through the 2026-27 season and has a US$62.8 million (S$82 million) player option for 2027-28. He carries cap hits of US$54.1 million in 2025-26 and US$58.5 million in 2026-27.

Suitors are expected to ramp up their conversations with Bucks brass about a potential deal for the veteran forward at this week’s combine in Chicago, per the report.

The Bucks are also expected to sit down with Antetokounmpo’s representatives, Giorgios Panou and Alex Saratsis, in the offseason to discuss his future, league sources told ESPN.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks won the top pick in the NBA Draft lottery on May 12, leaving them in pole position to select talented top college prospect Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks – who had only a 1.8 per cent chance of landing the top pick under the NBA’s complex lottery rules – have now been gifted a golden opportunity to rebuild following their shock decision to trade Luka Doncic in February.

“Its been a rough year for us as we all know,” said Dallas legend Rolando Blackman, the four-time All-Star who was chosen by the club to represent the Mavs at the draw in Chicago.

“But the important part of the whole thing is that we’ll get a chance to move our franchise forward.”

The 18-year-old Flagg is the overwhelming favourite