Giannis Antetokounmpo: Agent talks decision to sign supermax extension

Much of the drama surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 2020-21 season was thankfully dispersed by Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s decision to sign his five-year supermax extension shortly before the start of the year.

By signing what currently stands as the richest contract in NBA history, Antetokounmpo pledged to spend the prime of his illustrious NBA career in the place that has served as the epicenter beyond his historical rise to becoming the reigning back-to-back MVP. And that loyalty that he developed with the Bucks led to the world lifting off of their shoulders in the process.

Giannis Antetokounmpo weighed many factors before signing his supermax extension.

As Saratsis made clear to his client and to Caparell when reflecting on the process that led to Antetokounmpo signing his extension, Saratsis encouraged to wait as close to the December 21 deadline to make his final decision on the supermax offer.

Along with that, Saratsis advised Antetokounmpo to act as if he would wait a year to go into free agency one night and act as if he was signing his lavish extension the next night, all as a way to lead him to making the best decision for his present and future:

"“Saratsis wanted Antetokounmpo to go to bed some nights believing he was delaying a decision until summer, then see how he felt in the morning about it. Other nights, the top five NBA player should go to bed believing he was signing the extension, then see how he felt in the morning. Peace of mind over money. Serenity over settling.“There was nothing we were going to go to the Bucks with and they were going to say no,” says Saratsis. “It’s not just a business decision, it’s an emotional decision. Yeah, things can change and we can ask for a trade if you want to, but for all intents and purposes this is the next few years of your career, in the prime of your career, and I want you to be happy.”"

While the process of making such a pivotal decision left all Bucks fans waiting on pins and needles for most of the condensed offseason, it was one that Antetokounmpo knew would be best before inevitably making his decision with Saratsis:

"“The most important thing he told me is that he wanted me to be happy, and to be comfortable with my choice,” says Antetokounmpo. “We talked about every single option for months, but at the end of the day he knows me, and knows what matters the most to me and my family.”"

Saratsis also touched on the massive speculation that brewed in anticipation of Antetokounmpo’s decision as well as whether it was in any way linked with fellow client, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, getting his own extension with a known free agent suitor of Antetokounmpo. On that note, Saratsis made it clear that Adebayo’s max extension with the Heat was made independent of Antetokounmpo’s decision to re-up with the Bucks:

"“I can tell you that honestly,” says Saratsis. “‘Oh, well Bam signed, they must know something.’ They knew nothing. And I made sure. Agents do this all the time: You leverage one guy for another. And I never do that. It’s good to have information, but I would never talk Giannis’s business with Miami, and I would never talk about Miami’s business with any other team. You don’t leverage one guy for another.”"

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All in all, it serves as a fascinating look into the all of the machinations and factors that led to Antetokounmpo deciding to stay in the one place he’s known over his NBA career. And that decision has certainly left all Bucks fans overjoyed for his and team’s present and future.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo: Agent discusses process to signing supermax extension

By Jordan Treske | Mar 6, 2021

Giannis Antetokounmpo weighed many factors before signing his supermax extension.