This was meant to be the start of a comeback, not a sudden stop that leaves everything uncertain. The Milwaukee Bucks began the playoffs hoping to prove doubters wrong and chase another championship, led by their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Instead, fans are now facing what could be a major turning point that no one expected but now feels very real.

Losing Game 5 to the Indiana Pacers did more than just upset fans of the Milwaukee Bucks. It started a deeper conversation in Milwaukee, as a team once seen as a top contender in the East has now been knocked out in the first round for the second year in a row. The loss hurt, but what made things worse was the reaction after the game, especially a comment from NBA veteran Danny Green during his talk on Run It Back on FanDuel TV.

Sitting next to Michelle Beadle and Chandler Parsons, Green did not hold back. When Beadle asked, “How bad a loss is this for Doc (Rivers)?” Green smirked, and Beadle pushed, “Some rough ones were let out, it’s up there no?” before Parsons joined in, mentioning the loss of their second-best player, referring to Damian Lillard, and how the Bucks still nearly won.

“This series was pretty much a wash, but to end it the way it did… after such a good performance… it was sad,” Parsons said. Then came the moment that shocked everyone: “This is Giannis’s last game in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform,” said Green. “It is one of the worst ways for him to leave.” Beadle tried to ease the tension, saying, “It might not be, maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves.” But by then, the internet was already buzzing.

It was a heartbreaking day for Bucks fans, and especially for Giannis. He gave his everything, returning with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists, while making more than 60 percent of his shots. But it still was not enough. And when Gary Trent Jr. lost the ball at the end, killing their final chance, it felt like the story was ending in a way no one wanted.

Now everyone is asking the same question: Was this really the last time Giannis played for Milwaukee? The rumours are getting louder, and it is not just from TV shows. Even NBA executives are joining in. One from the Eastern Conference said the Bucks may need to act before Giannis makes his move. He said the team has no valuable assets outside of Giannis, and if they wait too long, they might lose everything and get little in return.

Giannis Trade Talk: Time to Move On?

Milwaukee has Giannis under contract for two more years, with a player option for the third. But all this doesn’t mean he’s untouchable. After back-to-back disappointing playoff exits, the urgency around the Bucks’ future is growing. Some insiders believe this summer might be the best time to act for the Bucks.

Giannis has said he wants to stay in Milwaukee, but staying loyal can only get you this far. The pieces around Giannis Antetokounmpo have begun to crumble. Lillard is hurt, Lopez is aging, and the supporting cast is no longer of championship caliber. The front office has to consider whether they’re helping Giannis or holding him back. There are already a few big names in the rumours who could need Giannis’ services. Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets all might need the Greek Freak to strengthen their team.

Could the Bucks actually be better off initiating trade talks? It sounds wild, but it might be their best shot at a full rebuild while getting real value in return. Just like Portland did with Lillard or the Heat with Jimmy Butler, waiting too long rarely ends well.

As for Giannis, if this really was his last game in green and cream, it’s a heartbreaking finale for a player who gave everything to the city. Fourteen years, a Finals MVP, and a championship, all possibly ending with a fumble, a loss, and a hard truth from a fellow NBA veteran. Time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the Giannis era in Milwaukee is now under the microscope.