Despite the Lillard trade, the Bucks’ star has yet to re-sign.
MILWAUKEE, WI – Giannis Antetokounmpo applauded the Milwaukee Bucks for demonstrating their dedication to winning another championship by acquiring Damian Lillard, but he noted that signing a contract extension right now does not make financial sense.Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign a three-year extension worth approximately $170 million, but he may earn much more by deferring until next summer. Antetokounmpo’s deal goes through the 2024-25 season, with a player option for 2025-26.
“I said it didn’t make sense to sign the contract right now because money isn’t important — but a lot of money is.” So I’m going to sign it next year,” Antetokounmpo said. “But,
No, it doesn’t make sense at the end of the day. It would be illogical for me to sign it right now. I must always consider what is best for me and my family, as well as my situation.
“But, at the end of the day, I want to play for the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career, as long as we win.” That’s all there is to it.”
This summer, Antetokounmpo told The New York Times that he wanted to make sure the Bucks were dedicated to winning another championship before deciding whether to extend his contract.
The Bucks acquired Lillard in a three-team trade that also included two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday and guard Grayson Allen.
No, it doesn’t make sense at the end of the day. It would be illogical for me to sign it right now. I must always consider what is best for me and my family, as well as my situation.
“But, at the end of the day, I want to play for the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career, as long as we win.” That’s all there is to it.”
This summer, Antetokounmpo told The New York Times that he wanted to make sure the Bucks were dedicated to winning another championship before deciding whether to extend his contract.
and an abundance of draught capital. The Bucks now have two of the 75 players chosen for the NBA’s 75th anniversary in Lillard and Antetokounmpo.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t make sense. It wouldn’t make sense for me to sign it right now. I must always think about what is best for me, my family, and my situation.
“But, at the end of the day, I want to play for the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career, as long as we win.” That’s the end of it.”
Antetokounmpo told The New York Times earlier this summer that he wanted to make sure the Bucks were committed to winning another championship before deciding whether to extend his deal.
and a plethora of draught capital. With Lillard and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks now have two of the 75 players picked for the NBA’s 75th anniversary.
At the end of the day, it makes no sense. It would be illogical for me to sign it right now. I must always consider what is best for me, my family, and my circumstances.
“But, at the end of the day, I want to play for the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career, as long as we win.” That’s all there is to it.”
Earlier this summer, Antetokounmpo told The New York Times that he wanted to make sure the Bucks were dedicated to winning another championship before deciding whether to extend his contract.
and an abundance of draught capital. The Bucks now have two of the 75 players chosen for the NBA’s 75th anniversary, in Lillard and Antetokounmpo.
The Lillard deal capped up a hectic summer for the Bucks, who also dismissed Coach Mike Budenholzer and replaced him with Adrian Gryphon. Budenholzer led Milwaukee to its first NBA championship in half a century in 2021, but he was fired after the top-seeded Bucks were defeated by Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
These moves are risky.
Lillard missed 29 games in 2021-22 due to an abdominal injury, and he missed 58 games last season due to a calf issue. Antetokounmpo and three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton both had knee surgery in the offseason, and Middleton played in only 33 games last season.
Furthermore, the Bucks will not have custody of any of their first-round draught picks until 2031. They’ve agreed to swap first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029, as well as pick swaps in 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Despite this, Bucks co-owner Wes Edens believes “we’re in the best position we’ve ever been at this point in a season.”
“I think that people tend to underestimate the risk of doing nothing versus the risk of doing something,” Edens stated.
Leave a Reply