Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a historic five-year supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, and there is plenty to discuss following the move.
It had been a nerve-wracking offseason for the Milwaukee Bucks, but Giannis Antetokounmpo changed that after he inked his signature on an extension to stay long-term with the franchise.
The two-time MVP signed the full five-year supermax extension worth $228 million to keep him locked in with the Bucks for the foreseeable future on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo broke the news himself on social media with a simple message:
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"“This is my home, this is my city.. I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.”"
This is undoubtedly a historic day for the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee as they get the assurance that Antetokounmpo will be under contract for certain over the next five seasons. Potentially six depending on how things go with that player option.
As fans rejoice that they will no longer have to worry about losing their star, here are three takeaways from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision to sign his historic extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
No. 3 – Antetokounmpo thankfully silences speculation on his imminent future
For the past two seasons, Antetokounmpo’s future had hung over the Bucks like a black cloud. With two playoff exits that sent the team home far earlier than they anticipated, all of the talk this offseason revolved around the MVP’s desire to win and if he could do that in Milwaukee.
Had Antetokounmpo elected to play out the season without a new deal, this team was going to be swarmed with speculation until the very end. With all of the talk involving interest from contenders such as the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat, among others, every matchup was going to create a new headline and rehash a cycle of speculation.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have now eliminated any talk of him taking his talents elsewhere anytime soon, and can shift their focus full-time back to winning a title in the city of Milwaukee.
No. 2 – Antetokounmpo is confident in Milwaukee’s ability to contend
Time and time again, the Greek Freak had made it clear that he wants to win a championship above all else and that he wants to do it with the Bucks.
However, the recurring question was whether the team had surrounded him with a proper supporting cast to achieve that goal. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski remarked on his podcast, ‘The Woj Pod,’ Antetokounmpo wasn’t interested in chasing big markets, especially those far off from winning. Transcribed by Real GM:
"“The challenge for the Bucks is just selling him on winning,” said Wojnarowski. “I know this about Giannis: his decision is not about wanting to be in a big market and have all the trimmings that come with Los Angeles or New York or wherever it is. I don’t think that’s part of his decision making. I think at his core he’s immensely loyal. I believe he loves the people in Milwaukee. Loves that community. He loves the organization. But he wants to win and that’s what he’s weighing.”"
Understanding that they needed to shake up the roster, Milwaukee spared no expense in doing so this offseason. While the Bucks throughout in a slew of veterans such as Torrey Craig, D.J. Augustin, and Bobby Portis this offseason, the biggest move was adding Jrue Holiday, without question.
Milwaukee gave up a hefty haul to bring in the guard that included Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three future first round picks, and the right to two future pick swaps. Many questioned whether their active offseason was enough to convince Antetokounmpo to commit long term, especially after their failed bid for Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is a friend of his.
With a signature from Antetokounmpo, it is now evident that he believes this team is in a prime position to contend. Time will tell how the new additions gel with the returning players, but the Bucks are undoubtedly in the mix of title contenders.
No. 1 – Antetokounmpo remains true to his word about loyalty
Since the Bucks drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, he has constantly reiterated his loyalty to the franchise. Antetokounmpo’s agent, Octagon Basketball’s Alex Saratsis, spoke about this loyalty from his client to TMJ4 News of Milwaukee this past February:
"“He came in as an 18-year old kid who didn’t speak the language,” Saratsis said. “If you think about it, he grew up and is growing up to be a man in the City of Milwaukee. I think he’s always going to appreciate that.” “Giannis believes in loyalty, he believes in the people who’ve been there with him from the beginning, and I think he feels that kinship to the city because they have really helped raise him.”"
Giannis has never been shy about his desire to have a career similar to one of his basketball idols, the late Kobe Bryant, and stick it out with the same franchise for multiple decades. For reference, at his virtual MVP acceptance ceremony during the offseason, Antetokounmpo expressed his desire to build a winning culture in Milwaukee and cement his long-term future there:
"“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.”"
Antetokounmpo’s ascension to stardom in the league has not been a traditional one compared to other stars. Long before he became the Greek Freak, Giannis was a vendor on the streets of Greece just trying to help his family make a living.
In fact, when he started playing basketball overseas, Antetokounmpo occasionally shared shoes with his brother and current Bucks teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Now, seven years after the Bucks gambled on an unknown prospect in Greece, Antetokounmpo not only has his own signature shoe, he has also signed the richest deal in NBA history.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s loyalty undoubtedly played a substantial part in his commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks, and now, he has some unfinished business to handle.