Giannis' next team odds: Will the Greek Freak be moved?

Successful partnerships often end unceremoniously. When the Bucks blew a seven-point lead with 34 seconds remaining in Game 5, it didn't just feel like the end of the Bucks' season. It felt like the end of an era in Milwaukee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has spent 12 seasons with the Bucks. He began as a skinny, raw, and uncertain Greek prospect whom Milwaukee took a chance on with the 15th pick and blossomed into a two-time MVP and NBA champion. There have been many joyous moments throughout the Greek Freak's time in Milwaukee, but disappointing playoff exits have recently clouded Antetokounmpo's greatness.

It started when the 8-seeded Heat upset the top-seeded Bucks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs as Antetokounmpo missed multiple games throughout the series. That offseason, the Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, who won a championship with the team in 2021, and traded Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard.

Antetokounmpo also missed last year's first round, which Milwaukee lost to Indiana. During this postseason, Lillard returned from a blood clot issue in Game 2 before tearing his Achilles in Game 4. Regardless of Lillard's health status, the Bucks likely never had a chance against a superior Pacers squad.

Now, the Bucks and Antetokounmpo are at a crossroads. The superstar has publicly expressed gratitude for the city where he's spent his entire NBA career. However, the Bucks have very few paths to championship contention for the foreseeable future.

Antetokounmpo has a decision to make: stay in Milwaukee on a middling squad during the prime of his career or request a trade to a contending team to seek a second championship. Many within the NBA project Antetokounmpo will take the latter approach. So, where is Antetokounmpo's second act most likely to occur?

Giannis' next team odds

Odds via theScore Bet

Antetokounmpo is under contract for the next two years, meaning any move must be facilitated through a trade. Thus, Milwaukee is still the +125 favorite at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet to retain Antetokounmpo, as he hasn't expressed a desire to play for another team. While the Bucks shouldn't willingly trade their franchise cornerstone who averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season, they may want to begin a rebuild with a massive trade haul for Antetokounmpo instead of hovering around the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Again, Milwaukee has extremely limited means of replenishing its roster. It doesn't own the rights to any of its first-round draft picks until 2031, so it can't use them as trade assets or develop its own drafted players. The Bucks have no budding young stars on their roster. Brook Lopez is 37, and they made a desperate midseason move for Kyle Kuzma, who was awful in the postseason.

Antetokounmpo's co-star, Lillard, will likely miss next season as he rehabs an Achilles injury at 35. Kevin Durant successfully returned from an Achilles tear, but he was 30 and doesn't rely on the burst or explosion that Lillard does. While the 13-year vet will fight to come back, he won't return to an All-Star level.

If a trade eventually arrives, this won't be similar to the Luka Doncic situation when the Mavericks foolishly dealt with one trade partner without shopping around. The Bucks should negotiate offers for Antetokounmpo extensively, ensuring they get a massive haul of picks and young players to kick-start a rebuild.

Contending teams will be desperate to acquire Antetokounmpo. And a few organizations have a war chest of assets to throw at Milwaukee.

The Nets have seven unprotected first-round picks over the next three years. The global superstar will have a massive say in his trade destination because no team would trade for him without securing a long-term commitment. It doesn't make sense for Antetokounmpo to play for another team devoid of stars that can't compete for championships. The Nets must trade for another star to have a chance at Antetokounmpo, or they could get lucky in the draft lottery and land Cooper Flagg with the top pick.

The Rockets have been linked to superstars Antetokounmpo and Durant after hoarding assets in hopes of making a big splash. While Houston is still alive in its first-round matchup against the Warriors, it's clear the Rockets' half-court offense doesn't have a reliable shot creator, resulting in poor clutch-time performances. Their defense carried them to the second seed in the West.

The Rockets have a plethora of young prospects on their deep roster and various future picks to send out. No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard didn't even crack their rotation this year. Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. could also be included as trade pieces. Houston is surprisingly low on the oddsboard, given it can offer one of the best packages with picks and budding young stars. It had the NBA's fourth-best record this season, but, with Antetokounmpo, Houston would immediately become a title favorite next season.

The Spurs are another team that can offer a package of young players and picks. Pairing Antetokounmpo with Victor Wembanyama would form the league's most daunting frontcourt and immediately bolster San Antonio's defense to one of the NBA's best, regardless of who shares the floor with them.

The Thunder are an intriguing team to watch. They're currently chasing an NBA championship and are the favorites (+140) to hoist the trophy. It's hard to imagine they'd completely upend their roster after winning a title. However, if they do flame out in the playoffs earlier than expected after capturing the West's top seed in back-to-back seasons, pursuing Antetokounmpo might be in play.

Oklahoma City is another organization with seemingly unlimited draft picks for the next half decade. The Thunder have a deep pool of young talent to trade, including Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and possibly even stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Perhaps Antetokounmpo is the missing piece to the Thunder's championship puzzle. Or maybe the Thunder discover this postseason that the puzzle is already solved.

The Heat, Magic, and Warriors could make a push as well, but they have less to offer than other teams. When a player of Antetokounmpo's caliber becomes available, nearly every franchise that can pursue him should. For now, teams must play the waiting game until the Bucks and Antetokounmpo decide on his future.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.