Giannis Antetokounmpo: MVP not focused on supermax extension

After weeks of silence, Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters that he is not currently focused on the supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.

All has been quiet surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s five-year supermax extension offer with the Milwaukee Bucks, until now.

Antetokounmpo spoke to the media for the first time since training camp kicked off, and of course, the supermax was a hot topic of discussion straight away. The two-time MVP told reporters that he is not focused on the contract at this time. Transcribed by Locked on Bucks host Kane Pitman:

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"“I’m not trying to focus on [the extension]. Not that I don’t care about it, obviously I care about it, it’s a very big decision. One of the biggest decisions that I’m going to make but I just let my agent focus on that and I’m going to focus on getting ready for Saturday.”"

These comments are surely nerve-racking for Bucks fans, although the official deadline for Giannis to sign an extension is December 21st. The 26-year-old is currently on the books for $25 million next season before he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

Only time will tell if he comes around to signing the projected $227 million deal in the coming days, the richest in NBA history. This contract discussion has clearly been the headline of Milwaukee’s offseason, and if he decides to play out the season without a new deal, speculation will continue to hang over the organization like a black cloud.

Antetokounmpo’s comments leave much to be desired for fans looking for some sort of commitment from the Greek Freak, but following today’s comments, they will have to wait some more. Looking on the bright side of things, Giannis has made it clear from day one that his main goal is to win a championship and that he could envision himself chasing that goal in Milwaukee long-term.

"“Obviously I had a great meeting with the owners, talked about the team, talked about what went wrong, what can we improve.As long as everybody is on the same page and as long as everybody is fighting for the same thing every single day, which is to be a champion, I don’t see why not be in Milwaukee for the next 15 years.”"

While that does not mean anything officially, Antetokounmpo made it a point that he wanted to see the roster improve this offseason. The Bucks obliged and delivered him a reconstructed supporting cast, and, hopefully, that resonated with him well.

The Milwaukee Bucks showed their desire to win as they retooled their roster ahead of next season, which could be the most important in franchise history.

Improvement was a keyword for Milwaukee after their early postseason exit, and they pushed all their chips into reshaping their roster.

It started when the Bucks traded away Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three future first round picks, and the rights to two future pick swaps to acquire Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. The team also added several household rotational pieces through free agency, including D.J. Augustin, Bobby Portis, Bryn Forbes, and Torrey Craig to gear up for a championship run.

This iteration of the Milwaukee Bucks could very well be their best team assembled in recent memory, and that will be crucial as they try to make their way out of the much improved Eastern Conference. After two consecutive disappointing playoff exits, the Bucks have put themselves in a position to break the spell and make a push for the Finals with Antetokounmpo at the helm.

The Bucks changed up their roster this offseason, but it remains to be seen whether it was enough to get a long-term commitment from Giannis Antetokounmpo before next season.