Milwaukee Bucks news this week has obviously surrounded the team signing two-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to a five-year $228 million extension.
However, it appears that general manager Jon Horst could be prepared to spend more of owner Marc Lasry’s money. According to multiple media reports, the Bucks are prepared to offer recently-acquired star guard Jrue Holiday a max contract here soon.
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Milwaukee Bucks news: Jrue Holiday to sign max contract extension?
“Jrue will get a max extension now, an unnamed NBA executive told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype on Wednesday.
Said deal would be worth an estimated $141 million over four seasons. From the Bucks’ perspective, that would tie up about $546 million in salaries to three players, Giannis, Holiday and Khris Middleton. Talk about spending big time.
Holiday, 30, was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this offseason for a package including three first-round picks and two future pick swaps. Obviously, the Bucks did not make this move for Holiday to be a short-term option. Holiday has an ability to opt out of his current five-year, $131.8 million deal following the 2020-21 season. At this point, that’s more likely than not.
Milwaukee Bucks news: Is Jrue Holiday worth a max extension?
In short, yes. The Bucks value this underrated guard big time. That’s magnified by what they gave up to acquire him from New Orleans during the fall.
A first-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2009, Holiday averaged 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists on 46% shooting last season. He’s averaged 19 points or more in each of the past three seasons, shooting at a resounding 48% from the field. That’s a ridiculously high mark for a point guard.
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In addition to this, Holiday is seen as a tremendous fit with the Greek Freak and Middleton. He’s a ball-dominant guard who can hoist from the outside (35% career three-point shooter).
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