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.

An NBA trade idea centered around Giannis Antetokounmpo sends the Milwaukee Bucks star to Memphis for Ja Morant.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to compete for championships, and that probably won't happen next season in Milwaukee. Still, the Bucks could use the gap year with Giannis to reload for the future. That might be the only pitch that the Bucks have for their superstar.