Pulling them away from it is a 30-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo — still in his prime, albeit ticking — and a 34-year-old Damian Lillard, though he isn't able to do much with a year-long recovery process awaiting him as he doctors an achilles tear suffered in just his second game back from a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis.

With four years and $222 million left on his contract, Giannis is committed to the Bucks until 2028, but back-to-back losses in the first round of the playoffs have caused major concerns about the trajectory of the franchise -- and if he loses faith in the Bucks' ability to win, it could lead him to finally force his hand and ask for a trade.

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