Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo - Photo by Behind The Buck Pass
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare for the upcoming NBA season, rumors surrounding their superstar forward may have the team’s management starting to consider what the franchise’s long-term plan could be.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks “are already being mentioned as franchises presumed to interest” the two-time MVP should he seek a new challenge, according to NBA insider Marc Stein on Monday.
Antetokounmpo has a $51.9 million player option for 2025–26 and is under contract for the next two years.
According to Tania Ganguli of the New York Times, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo stated that he will need to wait to see how the team performs under new head coach Adrian Griffin before making a decision.
“You’ve got to see the dynamics,” Antetokounmpo said. “How the coach is going to be, how we’re going to be together At the end of the day, I feel like all my teammates and the organization know that I want to win a championship. As long as we’re on the same page with that and you show me and we go together to win a championship, I’m all for it.”
“I would not be the best version of myself if I didn’t know that everybody’s on the same page; everybody’s going for a championship; everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing,” Antetokounmpo continued.
To get an idea of what a possible new Giannis Antetokounmpo extension could look like. This offseason, Jaylen Brown signed a 5-year, $304 million extension with the Celtics, which will earn him $60.8 million per year. The Portland Trail Blazers also signed Damien Lillard to a two-year extension last summer worth $121.7 million, which is also $60.8 million per year.
Meanwhile, the Knicks and Lakers have shown that they’re willing to spend big money on superstar free agents. Earlier this month, Anthony Davis signed a three-year, $186 million maximum contract extension with the Lakers, which will average him $62 million per year.
The Bucks are currently 15th in the league in terms of salary cap at -$39.05 million which could make offering Antetokounmpo a deal worth more than $60 million per year difficult. Other Bucks stars such as Jrue Holiday will earn $34.7 million this year and will also have a $37 million option for next season. Khris Middleton is set to earn a team-friendly $28.7 million this season and $31 million next season.
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