Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury could have long-lasting implications that impact the Milwaukee Bucks far beyond what looks like another first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs.
It could also usher in the departure of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 34-year-old Lillard, who suffered a left Achilles injury in Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, could miss most or all of next season. That would make him 35 or 36 when he’s able to return to the court — which complicates matters for a Bucks team already coping with age and roster issues.
Lillard was acquired from Portland in 2023 to pair with Antetokounmpo. He had signed a two-year, $122 million extension the previous year that has yet to kick in. Lillard will make around $54 million next season and has a $58 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Meanwhile, dealing Khris Middleton in February for 29-year-old Kyle Kuzma has not worked out as planned. Milwaukee is down 3-1 to Indiana and faces its third consecutive first-round exit as early as Tuesday night.
Rumors have been percolating for months that nine-time All-Star Antetokounmpo sees the writing on the wall and may angle for a trade this offseason. The 30-year-old forward will be without his co-star for an unknown amount of time, and the Bucks have little flexibility to improve their aging roster.
That has prompted at least one sportsbook to offer odds on which team Antetokounmpo will suit up for in the 2025-26 season if not Milwaukee.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Brooklyn Nets (+300)
Houston Rockets (+400)
Oklahoma City Thunder (+500)
Orlando Magic (+700)
Golden State Warriors (+800)
Miami Heat (+1000)
Portland Trail Blazers (+1200)
Utah Jazz (+1400)
New York Knicks (+1600)
Memphis Grizzlies (+1800)
Charlotte Hornets (+2000)
New Orleans Pelicans (+2200)
Cleveland Cavaliers (+2500)
San Antonio Spurs (+2500)
Dallas Mavericks (+2800)
Toronto Raptors (+2800)
Denver Nuggets (+3300)
Los Angeles Lakers (+3300)
Atlanta Hawks (+4000)
Detroit Pistons (+4000)
Los Angeles Clippers (+4000)
Boston Celtics (+5000)
Chicago Bulls (+5000)
Indiana Pacers (+5000)
Washington Wizards (+5000)
Minnesota Timberwolves (+6600)
Philadelphia 76ers (+6600)
Phoenix Suns (+6600)
Sacramento Kings (+6600)
*SportsBetting.ag odds provided for entertainment purposes only.
Milwaukee sent its first-round pick in this year’s draft to Brooklyn, which ironically owns the shortest odds to land Antetokounmpo. And New Orleans owns swap rights for Milwaukee’s 2026 first-round pick as part of the 2020 trade for Jrue Holiday.
Looking further into the future, the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2027 will go to either Atlanta or New Orleans, their picks in 2028 and 2029 to Washington or Portland, and the Trail Blazers own swap rights in 2030.
The Bucks also have a pending free agent list that includes Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Kevin Porter Jr. And making a big splash in free agency will be difficult with the supermax contract obligations to Lillard and Antetokounmpo, who signed a three-year, $186 million extension in 2023.
Whether the two-time MVP remains in Milwaukee to see the end of that deal will be one of this offseason’s biggest storylines.
–Field Level Media
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