KG thinks Giannis needs more help if the Milwaukee Bucks want to be a legitimate title contender

KG thinks Giannis needs more help if the Milwaukee Bucks want to be a legitimate title contender originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Since winning the historic 2021 championship for the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Bucks have been steadily declining with no clear end in sight. They’ve been eliminated in the first round three times and once fell to the Boston Celtics in the second round after seven games. In the past two seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the playoffs injured, while this year Damian Lillard tore his ACL, leading to a second straight elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

That wouldn’t be a problem if not for some highly questionable front office decisions after the title run. They didn’t make a strong effort to keep Jrue Holiday, trading him for Lillard, only for Holiday to be a key piece in the Boston Celtics’ championship. Khris Middleton then ran into injury troubles, and the Bucks eventually traded him for Kyle Kuzma, which so far looks like a poor move.

After seven years, another crucial part of the title team, Brook Lopez, left the team. He was replaced by a younger version of him, Myles Turner. That trade could turn out well given that Turner was part of the Pacers’ starting five that reached the Finals last season.

Milwaukee needs to find a winning formula

In the meantime, the Bucks have gone through three coaches since parting ways with Mike Budenholzer. The most puzzling change was Adrian Griffin’s resignation despite a 30–13 record. It’s clear that Milwaukee has lost its way and is struggling to find the perfect formula, all while Giannis is in his prime and playing the best basketball of his life, which is something Kevin Garnett is well aware of.

“It’s an uphill battle in the East. When you have teams like Cleveland that has a super duper roster, I’m watching Orlando get better, you know what I’m saying. You’re going to need more than just Giannis,” Garnett said. “You’re going to need some pieces that’s consistent with what the league is doing. And yeah, I think you need to put some help around him.”

Giannis can’t afford another wasted season

After the injury of Jayson Tatum, who will miss the entire season, the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and Holiday, while Al Horford also left. The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton all season, and there’s still no timeline for Joel Embiid’s return. The East is as open as it’s ever been, yet the Bucks still can’t seem to build the right supporting cast around their superstar.

Buying out Lillard’s contract didn’t help. Milwaukee will be paying $22.5 million against the cap for a player not even on the roster. Some analysts call it absolutely insane, especially for a team that’s supposed to be contending. Add the fact that they don’t control any of their first-round picks until 2031 makes the picture even more grim.

With Lillard gone, Giannis is surely aware that yet another prime season might be wasted. The front office tried to calm any unrest by signing Turner to a $107 million deal, but that alone guarantees nothing, as Shams Charania hinted that nothing is set in stone between Giannis and the Bucks.

“There’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving. And so, he’s continuing to evaluate his future. I reported in mid-May that he’s evaluating whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or is it elsewhere? That process is continuing and there’s been some very real conversations over the last week or so,” Shams said.

Giannis’ window to win is closing

For now, there’s no concrete news. While rumors swirl, Giannis is focused on EuroBasket preparations with Greece, aiming to win the country’s first medal in 16 years. As things stand, Giannis will remain with the Bucks for at least the upcoming season, but don’t be shocked if something changes soon. Milwaukee is stuck and it’s hard to imagine Giannis playing any better than he already is.

Last season, he set a new NBA record by becoming the first player to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in three separate seasons, surpassing legends like Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He also became the sixth-youngest player to reach 20,000 career points, won the NBA Cup and its MVP award, and became the only player in league history to average at least 30 points on 60 percent shooting in back-to-back seasons. He posted a 35-point, 20-assist, 17-rebound game — the first such stat line in NBA history. Giannis is just 52 steals away from joining Kevin Garnett as the only players to lead their franchises in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

Giannis’ window to win is right now, and he knows it, which could spell trouble for Milwaukee’s future.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.

KG thinks Giannis needs more help if the Milwaukee Bucks want to be a legitimate title contender

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