Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear multiple times in the past that he wants to remain with the team as long as they are winning and contending for a championship.
The two-time NBA MVP saw the type of commitment from Milwaukee’s brass last week when it acquired fellow future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a blockbuster trade.
Immediately ahead of pulling off that deal, the Bucks had actually offered the Greek Freak a max-level contract extension. In talking to the media on Monday ahead of the start of training camp, Antetokounmpo indicated that he will not sign an extension before next summer. However, he also reiterated that he wants to remain with the organization throughout the remainder of his career.
“I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of the my career, as long as we are winning. The commitment from the team for me, is there,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said.
Financially, it makes very little sense for Antetokounmpo to sign a new deal ahead of next summer. The seven-time All-Star is eligible for a three-year, $186.6 million extension ahead of the start of the 2023-24 regular season. If he were to wait until the offseason, that number would grow to roughly $260 million over four years. That’s a difference of nearly $74 million in guaranteed cash.
Giannis Antetokounmpo contract: 5 years, $228.2 million
Antetokounmpo’s current deal, signed back in December of 2020, takes him through the 2024-25 season with a player option for the 2025-26 campaign. Based on his track record, it makes sense for one of the NBA’s best players to let this coming season play out and go from there.
As for a commitment to the Bucks, there is an obvious caveat here. He wants to contend for a title on an annual basis. Antetokounmpo has also made that clear in the recent past.
“I’m a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I’m a winner. If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien I have to take that better situation,” Antetokounmpo said back in September.
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Milwaukee posted the best record in the NBA a season ago at 58-24, only to lose to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The expectations are now set to win a title following the acquisition of Lillard. Should things not pan out, Antetokounmpo’s contract will be a major NBA focal point next summer.