In recent NBA news, there has been a lot of talk about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, a star player for the Milwaukee Bucks. Brian Windhorst from ESPN during his appearance on NBA Today, has suggested that Antetokounmpo might be considering a change and could potentially sign with another team for his next contract.
This speculation gains credibility when we consider Antetokounmpo’s remarks. In an interview with Tania Ganguli from the New York Times in August, the 28-year-old forward discussed his priorities and thoughts about what lies ahead. While he expressed a desire to chase a championship, Antetokounmpo also emphasized the significance of team dynamics and the commitment shown by an organization.
“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 know and the organization knows 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.”
Brian Windhorst predicts that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next contract will be outside of Milwaukee 😳
(h/t @BasketballOnX ) pic.twitter.com/L4qnUp3Oni
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 23, 2023
The financial aspect is also worth noting. Currently, Antetokounmpo has until October 23 to decide whether to accept a three-year extension of $169 million with the Bucks. However, if he delays his decision until summer, there is potential for a lucrative offer reaching up to $258 million based on the salary cap.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision and the Bucks’ aging core
Despite being considered strong contenders for the title, in the Eastern Conference the Bucks are facing some challenges moving forward.
The key players of the team Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are getting closer, to the end of their careers. Their ages are becoming a concern for the team’s long-term success.
Furthermore, due to the acquisition of Jrue Holiday the team does not have any first round picks until 2028. This limits their ability to make changes to the roster. While this trade resulted in winning a championship, there might be challenges that overshadow its success.
Even if the Bucks win another title this season, it is uncertain how much influence it would have on Antetokounmpo’s decision-making process. Moreover, Antetokounmpo has the option to opt out of his contract after the 2024-25 season. This puts Milwaukee in a difficult spot.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst needs to take measures in light of these challenges. With the possibility of Antetokounmpo leaving, Horst may need to make trades or acquisitions in order to keep their star player who has been with them since 2013.
