Still variables? Famous reporter: Antetokounmpo may decide to stay later in the summer

Sports Weekly All-Media Reporter Li Hui

According to previous reports, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has decided to stay in Milwaukee this summer. However, on June 27, according to the famous ESPN reporter Shams Charanie, if Antetokounmpo wants to make a decision to stay or leave, it may have to wait until later this summer.

"He has been there for 12 years, so he must have feelings for the Bucks and will give him a certain amount of trust. Now it depends on how the team operates in draft week and in the free market, whether they have the ability to improve the team's strength through these operations. He himself said that if he wants to compete for the championship, can the Bucks do those championship-level operations? I have been saying in the past few weeks that Giannis' future will not depend on the draft, nor on the free market. If he really wants to make a decision, he may have to wait until later in the summer," said Charane.

In the just-passed draft, the Bucks, who had only one second-round pick, finally selected Serbian inside Markovic with the 47th overall pick. Markovic, who is less than 20 years old this year, averaged 29.2 minutes per game for the Serbian League team last season, scored 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, and shot 38.8% from three-pointers.

Last season's playoffs, the Bucks were eliminated by the Pacers in the first round, and injuries were the main reason, but the aging and unbalance of the team's lineup were also important reasons. This offseason, when Lillard was injured and difficult to trade, adjusting the team's inside line became an operation that the Bucks could do. The team's two veterans, Brooke Lopez and Portis, may leave the team this offseason, so choosing Markovic in the draft is undoubtedly a good choice. But there is still a lot of work left for the Bucks management this offseason, and their operating space is extremely limited. In the context of Lillard being almost impossible to play next season, it is difficult to create a competitive lineup for next season, and this is likely to directly determine Antetokounmpo's choice. After all, at the age of 30, he is still at the peak of his career. At this moment, he may have the patience to continue to stay in the team, but over time, if the team's overall strength and performance cannot be improved, Antetokounmpo's patience will be exhausted.