Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst pushed back Wednesday against suggestions the franchise was pressured into trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, calling the decision a deliberate choice rather than a necessity.

"This was not a 'have to,'" said Horst during a conference call with reporters. "This was, we truly believed we've found an opportunity which is unique. We might be right. We might be wrong. But an opportunity where this is what's best for him and what he wants to pursue going forward, and this is what's best for us and what we want to pursue going forward. And that's why we made the decision."

Horst described the trade as difficult but ultimately beneficial for both sides moving forward.

"Ultimately, the only thing that mattered to us organizationally was to work to try to find a trade, if we were going to do a trade, to try to find a trade that we thought gave us the best path forward," said Horst. "And if we could do that and have it be a great opportunity for him, we would execute that."

Milwaukee finalized the trade two weeks ago, sending Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for four players, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round selection. Horst said the package's flexibility and younger player ages factored heavily into the decision.

While the Bucks still do not control their own first round picks in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030, they own their picks outright from 2031 onward plus Miami's picks in 2030 (swap), 2031 and 2033.

"No one's sitting here today and saying that we're a better team today after trading Giannis," said Horst. "He's one of the greatest players to ever play, greatest player in the franchise history."

Antetokounmpo had spent 13 seasons with Milwaukee before the move. The Bucks finished last season 32-50, missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and replaced coach Doc Rivers with Taylor Jenkins this offseason.

Despite the emotional weight of the decision, Horst expressed optimism about rebuilding the franchise's foundation.

"There is a sense of excitement because it's a different challenge," said Horst. "It's something new."