The Milwaukee Bucks aimed to secure a championship by acquiring Damian Lillard, hoping to build around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, after three consecutive first-round playoff defeats, including the latest in 2025, the organization faces intense scrutiny surrounding leadership and accountability, amplified by Lillard’s recent waiver amid recovery from a torn Achilles.
Questions now swirl, particularly about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s influence on the Bucks’ roster choices, as one former NBA guard insists that the absence of clear communication from the superstar is as worrisome as any explicit directive from him.
What Led to the Bucks’ Rapid Decline After Adding Lillard?
Following their first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs, the Bucks sought to reignite their championship prospects by trading for Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. This move involved sending Jrue Holiday to Portland, a decision meant to surround Giannis with a proven scorer and boost the team’s title chances.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, the strategy did not produce the expected results. The Bucks exited the playoffs in the first round in both 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday contributed to the Boston Celtics winning the championship in 2024, underlining the cost of Milwaukee’s trade and adding to the frustration.
The 2025 postseason was particularly devastating as the Bucks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers for the second year in a row, and Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles injury that effectively ended any hope of salvaging the new core built around him.
Entering the offseason, the team’s direction seemed uncertain, stirring speculation about Giannis being traded. Yet, rather than pursue that path, Milwaukee chose to waive Lillard with the stretch provision and surprised observers by signing Myles Turner from their rival, the Pacers, signaling a shift in their approach.
The Mystery Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Impact on Team Decisions
Reports have emerged that Damian Lillard was taken aback by the Bucks’ decision to waive him, which has fueled debate about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s involvement. The superstar’s role in these pivotal decisions has been notably understated, but former NBA guard Jim Jackson suggests that Giannis’s silence may be just as consequential as direct action.
Jackson, speaking on Podcast P alongside Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George, articulated the significance of a franchise leader’s response—or lack thereof—in critical moments.
Here’s the thing about when you’re a Giannis, a LeBron in that situation that kind of controls the franchise — a Steph,
—Jim Jackson, Former NBA Guard
A non-answer is as bad as an answer. So if the coach is like — if management comes to you and says, ‘What do you think about coach?’ or ‘We’re going to do this’ or ‘We may fire him’ — and your star player is like, ‘Well, you know, you got to do what you got to do as an organization.’ So he’s not saying — he’s not saying no, that you got to fire him, that you don’t have to fire him, but he’s not saying yes, I advocate for [him].
—Jim Jackson, Former NBA Guard
Jackson’s diverse NBA background—having played for multiple franchises including Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers—lends weight to his insights about superstar interactions with front offices.
So a lot of times — and I’m going to get to your point about loyalty — a lot of times it’s like a player being in a situation: ‘Look, I didn’t know, I didn’t say anything, I didn’t — you know, I’m upset,’ but did you really advocate to have this person stay, or did you just kind of let the organization, when they asked you the question, do what they had to do? And you can’t play that in-between,
—Jim Jackson, Former NBA Guard
Jackson emphasizes that for players like Giannis, who essentially control a franchise’s direction, a lack of decisive input can be interpreted as tacit approval of management’s choices. This dynamic complicates how responsibility and leadership are assigned within a team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Leadership Under the Microscope
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the NBA’s most beloved figures, known for engaging warmly with fans and maintaining a positive public image despite the Bucks’ struggles. Nevertheless, Jim Jackson’s perspective casts doubt on the superstar’s role behind the scenes during a turbulent period in Milwaukee’s development.
Although Giannis has expressed trust in the organization’s decision-making, the failure to take a clear stand on major issues, including coaching and roster moves, raises questions about his leadership strength and influence.
The Bucks’ recent signing of Myles Turner, a traditional big man, indicates a departure from the guard-focused construction that defined the Lillard era. This shift may represent an effort to recalibrate the team’s strategy around inside presence and defensive capability.
As Milwaukee prepares for the 2025–26 season, considerable uncertainty remains about the team’s championship prospects and how Giannis Antetokounmpo’s role will evolve amid ongoing questions about organizational leadership and accountability.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What surgery did Damian Lillard have?
A. Damian Lillard, a guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, had surgery on Friday for a torn left Achilles tendon, according to the team. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery in Los Angeles, with advice from the Bucks’ orthopaedic surgeon, Dr.