Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Questioning’ the Bucks’ Title Hopes With Current Roster: Insider

Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Questioning’ the Bucks’ Title Hopes With Current Roster: Insider originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has questions regarding the current roster's ability to contend for an NBA championship. ESPN's Shams Charania reveals that the front office's move to waive Damian Lillard is a factor in the power forward's evaluation of the team's championship potential.

The Milwaukee Bucks are still looking to make noise in the Eastern Conference as title contenders. The team still has All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, which makes the Bucks a threat. Despite losing star guard Damian Lillard, there is a belief that Milwaukee can still make noise.

However, the decision to waive Lillard has affected Antetokounmpo's trust in the team's abilities to win the championship. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, releasing the injured nine-time All-Star to sign center Myles Turner is making the Greek Freak doubt the team.

Antetokounmpo Has Doubts on the Current Bucks' Roster

It might be the first season Antetokounmpo won't have another All-Star playing beside him. Due to this, it has made it difficult for him to have confidence in winning another championship in Milwaukee.

“I think he’s still in his process of evaluating, asking himself some hard questions,” Charania said. “The questions I’ve heard since the day of the Myles Turner trade and the Damian Lillard stretch and waive is, ‘Can I win another championship in Milwaukee? Can I win with this roster, not only next season but in 2026, 2027?’”

“In all likelihood, this roster is pretty much gonna be the roster both this upcoming year, the year after that, after the Lillard stretch and waive.”

"He's still in his process of evaluating - asking himself some hard questions." @ShamsCharania on Giannis's future in Milwaukee. #fearthedeerpic.twitter.com/PC5MvLObiM

— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) August 4, 2025

The Bucks still trust that Antetokounmpo can lead the team to another championship. However, it could be a tougher task this time since they traded Khris Middleton last season and waived Lillard this summer.

Related: ESPN Reporter Facing Backlash After Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Update

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.