• Giannis Antetokounmpo has made a stern declaration for his future with the Milwaukee Bucks
• The Greek forward announced his intention to not re-sign with the team this season
• He said the team needs to prove to him they can still compete for titles to ensure he stays a one-team man
Giannis Antetokounmpo brought the second NBA championship the Milwaukee Bucks have seen, following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s footsteps. But Giannis wants to add more titles to his resume, telling the Bucks that his contract extension negotiations depend on the team competing for championships.
“But next year, next summer it would make more sense for both parties. Even then, I don’t know… I would not be the best version of myself if I didn’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, and everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing… Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”
Giannis repeatedly stressed his love for the city of Milwaukee and the organization but has made a clear line in the sand.
They need to have a strong season in 2023-24, or the Bucks may be in an awkward situation.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Contract Status
Giannis signed a five-year, $228 million contract extension in the 2020 offseason, sacrificing his leverage of playing out the year as a free agent to put pressure on the franchise after they went all-in by trading for Jrue Holiday. That was a phenomenal decision, as the Bucks had a drama-free season and won the 2021 title.
Two seasons of playoff exits have put a question mark on the competitive future of the squad. Giannis’ contract expires in the summer of 2025, with him being contract eligible until then.
If Giannis doesn’t extend next summer, the Bucks are in for a very uncomfortable 2024-25 season with the threat of Giannis leaving hanging over their heads. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season.
Can The Bucks Compete Next Season?
The Bucks have brought their championship core from 2021 back for a fourth season, with Giannis surrounded by the likes of Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, who both signed extensions this summer, along with Jrue Holiday and sixth man Bobby Portis Jr.
Two seasons of injury troubles, for Middleton especially, have hampered their postseason success. After the debacle against the Miami Heat in the 2023 Playoffs, the Bucks will have to start the 2023-24 season as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the East to know their roster is still contending for the title.
If it starts badly, the Bucks could be a leading candidate for a mid-season trade. Not making the Finals will be a failure for the franchise and would likely stop Giannis from re-signing next summer.
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