Author: Monojit Mandal
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the main figure of the Milwaukee Bucks, has revealed his intention not to sign a contract extension with the organization this year, in a surprising turn of events. Before taking on any contractual obligations, the NBA star expressed his desire to analyze the organization’s level of dedication to winning another championship.
On September 22, Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP award winner, will be eligible for a lucrative three-year, $173 million contract. His current contract runs until the 2024-25 season, with a player option for the following year. The Greek Freak said in a direct interview with The New York Times that he doesn’t think the current financial data favors an extension this year. He said that next summer could provide a more practical moment for such a decision.
But he didn’t stop there. Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of a shared quest for the championship. “Even so, I don’t know,” he said. I wouldn’t be the best version of myself if I didn’t know that everyone is on the same page, that everyone is aiming for a championship and that everyone is willing to sacrifice time away from their families like me. And if I don’t feel that way, I won’t sign“.
The Bucks forward orchestrated a historic triumph for Milwaukee in 2021, winning the team’s first championship in 50 years. This triumph came just seven months after he signed a supermax contract. However, the Bucks have failed to get past the second round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
Antetokounmpo’s talent shone through last season, when he averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Despite their excellent effort, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs with a 4-1 loss to the Miami Heat.
In light of these events, the Bucks organization took a risk by firing coach Mike Budenholzer and replacing him with former Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Gryphon. Antetokounmpo declared his desire to observe the dynamics of the new coaching staff before committing to the Milwaukee Bucks on a long-term basis.