Giannis Antetokounmpo: What his extension means for Bucks’ longevity

Where does the Bucks’ cap stand after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s extension?

The Bucks have the two-time MVP for, at minimum, the next five seasons. The alone gives them more breathing room to compete for an NBA title, but the same can’t be said for their salary cap sheet going into the future.

In the most rosy projection, the Bucks are strapped with their committed money going forward and save for 2021 and 2023, their draft picks are either elsewhere or handcuffed until 2027. The Bucks have a superstar, but is the lack of future assets enough to win a championship?

With Giannis’ extension now on the books as well as several core players locked for the following few seasons, Milwaukee lacks the budget to make any more major signings next year. As of right now, the Bucks are at $146.2 million on their cap, with Antetokounmpo’s extension and cap holds penciled in, per Spotrac.

For all of those reasons and many more, the Bucks will be in the luxury tax for foreseeable future starting this season. This year, in fact, will mark the first year they have paid the tax since 2003 under former owner Herb Kohl.

The lack of flexibility and draft capital has forced the Bucks to make due with what they have with how they’ve built their roster to this point in Antetokounmpo’s career. With all that said, their big offseason acquisition in Jrue Holiday may help the team both on and off the court to extending their overall longevity.