Antetokounmpo expressed serious doubts and concerns about the Bucks’ roster months before the season started. The Bucks built contending rosters for more than half a decade, but the blockbuster trades to acquire Jrue Holiday, who helped them win the 2021 championship, and Lillard in 2020 and 2023, respectively, assisted the Bucks in convincing Antetokounmpo to sign multiple extensions at the cost of spreading their assets thin. They relinquished three first-round picks and four pick swaps in those moves, leaving them without the high-value tradeable contracts and draft picks to make a big move after their third consecutive first-round exit last spring.

It’s why Antetokounmpo reiterated to the Bucks for a few months before the Feb. 5 trade deadline that he was prepared to be moved. He declined to publicize a trade request, but he made it clear to all parties involved behind the scenes that he felt both sides needed to move on immediately, as the franchise was not in position to compete.