As they often have been lately, the Milwaukee Bucks and 10-time All-Star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo have found themselves relatively at odds regarding his availability to the team.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has now weighed in on a current conflict between Milwaukee and Antetokounmpo. The decorated vet is apparently healthy enough to play, having supposedly recuperated from a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court. Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked,” the NBPA writes in part. “We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”
At 28-42 this year, the Bucks effectively are out of the play-in tournament running.
Antetokounmpo has barely been healthy this season, having been limited to just 36 of 71 possible contests thanks to a variety of ailments.
Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesGiannis Antetokounmpo’s Uneven Season
When available, the two-time MVP has helped Milwaukee look semi-competent. Without him, the team has utterly fallen apart. Understandably, the Bucks are eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft for reinforcements.
So the more they lose, the better their Tankathon odds of nabbing a top lottery selection. They’re currently jockeying for the best possible lottery bid against our Chicago Bulls.
When he has been available, however, Antetokounmpo has looked like the offensive juggernaut he’s always been — although he has regressed a bit from his Defensive Player of the Year days. The nine-time All-NBA honoree has been averaging 27.6 points on .624/.333/.650 shooting splits, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks a night.
The Bucks’ misguided attempt to salvage the 2025-26 season by stretching and waiving Damian Lillard’s contract to sign center Myles Turner to a long-term deal has been an unmitigated disaster. Even though Milwaukee waived Lillard this past summer, he’ll still hit their books for over $22 million for four more years beyond this season — even though he’s now also under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
That’s a lot to pay a guy to play for another team — and a massive impediment to Milwaukee’s salary cap space.
Turner, meanwhile, has regressed mightily from his Indiana Pacers prime. His own four-year, $108.9 million deal could be impossible to move.
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