Has Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks career truly ended? He remains absent for the final game: A trade departure this summer is possible.

On April 12 Beijing time, the Bucks updated their injury report: Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee hyperextension, bone bruise), Turner (left ankle sprain), and Kuzma (right Achilles tendonitis) will miss tomorrow's regular season finale. This suggests Giannis may have already played his last game for the Bucks. His future this offseason will once again become a focal point of external attention. This season, Giannis played only 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

Team controlling owner Wes Edens, in an interview with ESPN reporter Shelburne, straightforwardly addressed the future of this franchise cornerstone: "Giannis is entering the final year of his contract, so only two things can happen: either an extension or a trade."

Starting October 2, Giannis will be eligible to sign a 4-year, $275 million extension contract. (If he exercises his $62.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season, this contract would become a 3-year, $213.6 million deal.)

However, to secure Giannis' fourth contract extension with the Bucks, the team must convince him that this squad—which missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years—has the capability to build a more competitive roster.

Giannis expressed serious doubts and concerns about the team's roster before the season began. Ending the season in this manner will only deepen his reservations. Due to left knee hyperextension, Giannis' last game this season was on March 16. Although he informed the Bucks he was physically ready to play, the medical staff did not clear him, sparking new tensions.

"I can play, but I didn't get on the court. I could play today, I could play right now, I'm fully ready to play," Giannis told reporters.

For the team's long-term interests, the Bucks should not hesitate regarding Giannis but should actively explore trade scenarios before the draft.

Trading Giannis requires interested teams to weigh multiple factors to formulate an offer: How much influence does this two-time MVP have in choosing his next destination? Are teams willing to commit significant assets (draft picks, controllable young contracts, large short-term contracts) without guarantees of his extension?

After being traded, Giannis would still be eligible to sign the same extension contract as with the Bucks, but only six months after the trade is completed. Bucks GM Jon Horst spent past offseasons building around Giannis. Now, as President of Basketball Operations, he will face the task of rebuilding the roster without the franchise cornerstone for the first time.