Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Reaction to Free Agency Frenzy
As the frenzy of the 2025 NBA free agency kicked off, Giannis Antetokounmpo took to social media to express his bewilderment regarding the events unfolding for his team, the Milwaukee Bucks. On Tuesday morning, he shared a nostalgic photo of former teammate Brook Lopez during their 2021 Championship celebration, captioning it with, “Mood [100%],” followed by a confused, “I don’t know what’s going on right now, man.”
Major Moves for the Bucks
This social media moment came amid significant action from the Bucks, highlighted by Lopez’s recent agreement to join the LA Clippers in a two-year deal worth $18 million. Lopez, who had spent seven seasons in Milwaukee after originally signing in 2018, now embarks on a new chapter in Los Angeles.
In a surprising turn of events, shortly after Giannis’s post, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported a major move by the Bucks: they had waived superstar point guard Damian Lillard, utilizing the stretch provision from the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. By taking this action, Milwaukee would relieve themselves of the last two years of Lillard’s contract, which translates to spreading the remaining cap hit of $113 million over five seasons.
Speculation Surrounding Lillard’s Release
The timing of Lillard’s release, which occurred just over 18 hours after the free-agent negotiation period opened, raises speculation about Giannis’s awareness of the situation. Lillard had a fruitful career with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Bucks in 2023. He averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in the recent regular season, but an Achilles injury in the playoff series against Indiana halted his contributions.
Free Agency Landscape
Milwaukee’s free agency season began with significant transactions, notably the signing of Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers to a lucrative four-year deal estimated at $107 million. As for the overall landscape, the free agency period appeared to gain momentum right away; for instance, NBA fans noted New York Knicks player Josh Hart humorously commenting on social media just after the free agency window opened, sharing his anticipation for trades.
Other major free agent movements also played out on the first day, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inking a massive four-year, $285 million supermax extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder after leading them to the championship. Additionally, former Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, reuniting him with point guard Jordan Poole, who expressed excitement about the move on social media.
Antetokounmpo’s Future with the Bucks
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo’s position with the Bucks remains uncertain as the team attempts to rebuild its competitive edge following their 2021 championship success. He is under contract for two more years after signing a three-year, $186 million extension in October 2023. Last season, the Bucks concluded with a 48-34 record but were eliminated in the first round by Indiana, highlighting the team’s need for strategic reinvention.
