The Milwaukee Bucks formally closed some of the profitable chapters in franchise historical past on Monday, issuing emotional statements following the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat.
The group confirmed the top of Antetokounmpo’s 13-year tenure by praising the two-time MVP’s influence each on and off the court docket. Bucks house owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan described Antetokounmpo as a transformational determine whose legacy “will all the time be felt” all through Milwaukee.
“From delivering a championship to remodeling our franchise, Giannis’ influence on the Milwaukee Bucks is lasting and profound,” the possession group mentioned in a joint assertion. “For 13 seasons, Giannis gave all the pieces to this group and impressed our metropolis along with his relentless drive, humility and coronary heart.”
Basic supervisor Jon Horst additionally mirrored on his lengthy relationship with Antetokounmpo, whom Milwaukee chosen with the fifteenth total choose within the 2013 NBA Draft. Horst known as the commerce “an extremely tough determination,” including that it was made “for what’s greatest for the way forward for the Bucks and for Giannis.”
“Since we drafted him in 2013, Giannis has remodeled the Milwaukee Bucks in each approach—on the court docket, in our locker room and all through the neighborhood,” Horst mentioned. “The usual he set will proceed right here.”
The deal marks a dramatic organizational reset after Milwaukee completed 32-50 in the course of the 2025-26 common season, lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2018. The Bucks ended eleventh within the Japanese Convention regardless of Antetokounmpo remaining one of many league’s premier gamers.
In return for Antetokounmpo and Portis, Milwaukee acquired Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, first-round picks in 2026, 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round choose swap, and a 2033 second-round choice. The package deal provides the Bucks each younger NBA contributors and important draft capital as they start a rebuilding part.
Horst additionally made a degree of recognizing Portis, who spent six seasons with the franchise after becoming a member of in 2020. Portis performed a key position in Milwaukee’s 2021 NBA championship run and have become one of many group’s hottest gamers.
“From the second Bobby arrived, he embraced what it means to be a Buck,” Horst mentioned. “The chants of ‘Bob-by! Bob-by!’ that echoed all through Fiserv Discussion board grew to become a defining a part of his legacy.”
Milwaukee added rookie Bogoljub Markovic this offseason, and chosen Brayden Burries with the tenth total choose within the 2026 NBA Draft. Taylor Jenkins now takes over as head coach with a roster constructed round youth, monetary flexibility and future draft belongings.
Antetokounmpo leaves as the best participant in Bucks historical past. Throughout his 13 seasons in Milwaukee, he developed from a teenage venture into an NBA champion, two-time MVP, NBA Finals MVP and one of many defining stars of his technology. His departure ends an period that included the franchise’s first championship in 50 years, whereas opening a brand new chapter for each Milwaukee and Miami.
