The Athletic's Eric Nehm noted that if Antetokounmpo stays and takes the gap-year approach, the Bucks' flexibility could be buoyed by Damian Lillard ( $58.5 million player option) and Kyle Kuzma ( $20.4 million) potentially being attractive trade candidates entering the final season of their contracts.

On a night full of surprises, the Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2025 NBA Draft lottery with the eighth-overall selection. It was a two-spot drop for Brooklyn

Chief among those looking to improve are the Lakers after their first-round exit. While they don't have the assets that some other teams will throw at the Bucks, their improbable acquisition of Luka Doncic has fans already buzzing at the potential of adding Antetokounmpo to the squad this summer, with jersey swaps all over social media.