Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t mince words after another disappointing loss for the Milwaukee Bucks, openly questioning the team’s cohesion as their struggles continue to pile up.

“We’re not playing hard. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there,” Giannis said. “Guys are being selfish… guys trying to do it on their own.”

The comments came after Milwaukee’s latest setback, a loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder – another reminder of how far the Bucks have drifted from contender status this season.

At the halfway point of the year, Milwaukee sits at 18-25, currently 11th in the Eastern Conference and outside the play-in picture. It’s a stark contrast from the expectations entering the season, when the Bucks were still viewed as a team built to compete at the highest level around Giannis.

Instead, the season has been defined by instability and difficult decisions. Milwaukee waived and stretched Damian Lillard following his torn Achilles, then pivoted by signing free agent Myles Turner to replace Brook Lopez as Giannis’ new stretch big. Kyle Kuzma was also brought in last season to fill the void left by an aging Khris Middleton, while Bobby Portis remains one of the few holdovers from the 2021 championship core.

Around them is a collection of solid, serviceable players. Ryan Rollins has quietly put together a stellar season and has emerged as a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. Guards like Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony hold the fort down at the point guard spot for the playmaking duties, and shooters like AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr., and Gary Harris all have defined roles as the designated floor spacers. 

Yet despite the depth, it increasingly feels like the sum of the parts isn’t enough to compete for a title in an NBA landscape that continues to grow deeper and more talented by the year.

That reality makes Giannis’ frustration understandable – and it also raises an uncomfortable question for both sides.

Should the Bucks and Giannis consider parting ways?

From a long-term perspective, it may eventually serve the best interests of both parties. Milwaukee could reset its timeline, commit fully to a rebuild, and begin planning for the future. Giannis, meanwhile, could spend the remainder of his prime competing for championships with a true contender.

It’s not a decision that needs to be made immediately, nor one that comes lightly. But as losses mount and the disconnect becomes more visible, the possibility no longer feels unthinkable – especially when even the franchise cornerstone is openly acknowledging that the Bucks, right now, simply aren’t playing together.