Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s teammates discuss his future
By Adam McGee
With Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s future as hot a topic as ever, a couple of his Milwaukee Bucks teammates have shared their thoughts.
Milwaukee Bucks fans have grown accustomed to it, and the same can likely be said for the players at this point.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is the biggest question mark surrounding the franchise, so it seems almost impossible for there to be any discussion about the Bucks that doesn’t ultimately touch on that subject.
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That has become particularly apparent in recent days as both Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews have given interviews that eventually landed on the subject of what the reigning MVP might opt to do next.
In a wide ranging interview with Michael Pina for SB Nation, which included discussing his own future, Connaughton was eventually pressed on what he believes his friend and workout buddy will do when his big decision comes up in the offseason.
Connaughton first noted that it’s something he and Antetokounmpo could definitely discuss due to their friendship, while also pointing out that as a team the Bucks tend to be particularly good at having open discussions of that nature.
"“I think sometimes it gets brought up randomly in passing and things like that, but I think at the end of the day, for us, it’s not as big of a deal as it is for the rest of the world. Obviously the city of Milwaukee, the team, everyone wants Giannis to be here forever. But Giannis has put himself in a position to provide for his family from growing up with nothing in Greece, and I don’t think you can fault Giannis for whatever decision he ends up making, that he believes is the best decision for him, his family, the people who are closest to him.I’ll support him regardless of what he does, and I think the entire team will support him regardless of what he does. I think we’re building something pretty cool in Milwaukee so that will play a role, but it’s his decision and all of us will support what he does, whenever that decision comes to light.”"
As for Matthews, in his interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo! on the Posted Up podcast, when pressed as to whether Milwaukee wouldn’t prove to be a big enough market to retain Antetokounmpo in the long term, the Madison native responded:
"“Anybody that says that, they haven’t really met this superstar.”"
More generally, Matthews was happy to go on the record in sharing his belief that the Bucks are facing a very promising future, pointing to how the franchise has recovered from a rough spell.
"“Not even speaking on what may happen with this player, I just think the organization itself has had a history of winning, and then had some setbacks, but had the vision to build it back up to where it is right now. I think the future is good.”"
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There’s an understandable reluctance among Bucks players to get into too much detail with their own thoughts or predictions about what comes next with Giannis. But given that the questions aren’t going to stop coming any time soon, expect many more Bucks to be pressed on this subject over the coming months.