The Milwaukee Bucks have just navigated one of their most emotionally complex offseasons in years. Damian Lillard, once seen as the perfect co-star alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, faced a harsh exit, not due to lack of effort or performance, but because of an injury-plagued season that might keep him away from the court the next season, too. Despite flashes of promise in the 116 regular games played together, the duo never reached the championship heights, derailed by unfortunate timing and setbacks. With key pieces like Brook Lopez aging, the roster is in flux. The Bucks now stand at a crucial crossroads, where every decision will test Giannis’s commitment to Milwaukee’s future because he wants to win the ring again.

After Lillard’s fall and the Bucks’ early playoff exit at the hands of the Pacers, the burden now shifts entirely back onto Giannis’s shoulders, once again. Despite Lillard’s absence, the Greek Freak, even at 30, continued to dominate, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, firmly remaining Milwaukee’s undeniable centerpiece and championship hope. Yet, he knows the path isn’t easy and carrying the team alone till the ring is impossible. And connecting to this, the Greek freak today reposted a decade-old post of his, reflecting on his journey and mindset.

The throwback photo is of his younger self gazing over city lights with the 2015 caption, “Follow your dreams and believe in yourself. #BeHappy.” A decade later, those words carry a deeper meaning. However, it wasn’t just nostalgia or just internet humor. That photo, full of innocent ambition and youthful hope, resurfaced amid perhaps the most uncertain stretch of Giannis’ career.

Giannis’ caption to the story read, “Apparently I’m a meme now,” followed by three laughing, crying emojis. The Bucks’ star’s post now echoes like a cruel twist of fate, a reminder of how much has changed and how complicated life can become, even for one of the NBA’s most dominant forces. Giannis openly admitted that the pressure is mounting. “Like me, my personal goal is if I’m not able to win the second ring, I’m letting down myself,” he confessed on the Thanalysis podcast with his brother. 

“I really want to win the second one. Hopefully, I do it.” The Bucks front office knows this. They signed Myles Turner, a major offseason pickup aimed at bolstering defense and giving Giannis the interior partner he missed. Brought back Bobby Portis, shipped out Pat Connaughton, and revamped the rotation. They believe it’s enough to stay competitive.

“I know you’re asking about Giannis,” a Bucks executive told Keith Smith of Spotrac. “We have no indication that anything is really changing… We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done.” The Bucks feel good about their offseason. But they also know this is a prove-it year. Giannis hasn’t asked out…not yet. Meanwhile, out West, the Golden State Warriors are calculating.

Why are the Warriors stockpiling assets?

Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency has become the NBA’s version of a staring contest. But the Warriors are in no rush to blink. They’ve rejected sign-and-trade offers, stalled on new deals, and reportedly offered Kuminga significantly less than he wants, somewhere in the $20 million range versus his desired $30 million.

“There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value,” wrote Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. “Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up.” Golden State is dreaming big, perhaps unrealistically. But they’re not alone.

The Warriors know Giannis is represented by Octagon, the same agency as Stephen Curry. They know that if the Bucks stumble out of the gate or fall apart by the deadline, there might be a once-in-a-generation opportunity. “But the possibility exists that Giannis could want out and could tell the Bucks that they should trade him to the Warriors,” Kawakami continued. “And then it would be up to the Warriors to meet Milwaukee’s price, if possible.”

Re-signing Kuminga, or at least holding on to him until the deadline, is part of that long play. He’s the type of young talent who could headline a trade package. But Golden State knows they’re far from the only suitor. They may not even have the best offer if Giannis becomes available. For now, Giannis is still in Milwaukee, but the dream is more complicated than it was in 2015. Back when a young kid looked out over the city and told the world to believe.