In ten years, Giannis Antetokounmpo has compiled a decorated resume with the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s harnessed seven All-Star selections, won two MVPs, and delivered the team’s first NBA title since 1971. Still, for fans who envision Antetokounmpo being in Milwaukee for life, he recently appeared to say that the…buck stops here.
Antetokounmpo sat down for an interview with Tania Ganguli of the New York Times, which was published Thursday. Among the main topics discussed was the NBA star’s future in Milwaukee. Giannis is in the middle of a five-year, $228 million extension he signed in 2020. He becomes extension-eligible this September, and he has a key decision to make. It’s one that, at the moment, Giannis isn’t certain of, saying:
“I would not be the best version of myself if I don’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.”
Where do things between Giannis and the Bucks stand right now, and what will it take for Giannis to stay?
NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Uncertain Future with Bucks
Background
Antetokounmpo went into further detail about previous uncertainty in Milwaukee and how it was handled with key changes. As Ganguli reported, in 2020, Giannis told the Bucks he “did not want to play basketball anymore.”
“The Bucks recommended he speak to a sports psychologist, so Antetokounmpo tried it. Doing so helped him find ways to cope with the stress and pressure he felt. He rediscovered joy in playing basketball, and the Bucks won a championship that season.”
The Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer after they were upset by the no. 8 seed Miami Heat in last year’s playoffs. They brought in former Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, which is part of why Antetokounmpo is uncertain about an extension.
“You’ve got to see the dynamics,” Antetokounmpo told Ganguli. “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.”
However, if the Bucks decide they’re going to rebuild, Giannis subtly indicated that’s where his stance could change. It’s entirely possible, given that he and other key players will become free agents in 2025. However, if a rebuild does occur, Giannis assured that there will “never be hard feelings” towards the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.
Although Antetokounmpo expressed a desire to play for 20 seasons, following the loyal footsteps of Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, he also noted his desire to win above all else.
“Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”
The State of the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee still has their core of Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez intact. They’ve also kept impactful players in sixth man Bobby Portis and sharpshooter Pat Connaughton. This offseason, the Bucks added several role players to address previous deficiencies. They signed Malik Beasley, a known perimeter threat who struggled at times towards the end of last season, and Brook’s twin brother, Robin Lopez, a respectable backup center. Also, Milwaukee drafted promising players and re-signed 3-and-D forward Jae Crowder, shoring up frontcourt depth. They lost key rotational players in Jevon Carter, Joe Ingles and Wesley Matthews, among others. But all things considered, the Bucks seem fine.
With a new era in Milwaukee comes increased expectations and motivation. Milwaukee’s first-round exit to the Heat should ring alarm bells in the locker room, and Antetokounmpo appears ready to lead the charge. With younger teams (e.g. New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets) coming for contention, the Bucks must assert their dominance. As it stands right now, they have the tools to do so. However, next season—a contract year for Giannis—will prove even more pivotal.
Aside from Giannis, the Bucks have kept the rest of the “core four” on the same timeline. All of them will hit free agency in 2025. Though Holiday has a $39 million Player Option next season, Middleton and Lopez have their own Player Options in the 2025 offseason next to Giannis. That’s where the crossroads begin for Milwaukee, which is why the next two seasons are vital for them. Nothing like some pressure to begin Adrian Griffin’s head coaching career.
Is Redemption Attainable for the Bucks?
Despite their disappointing playoff exit and the emergence of other conference rivals, the Bucks have what it takes to remain a top-three team over the next couple of years. Since their 2021 title run, the Bucks have finished with top-three records in each of the last two seasons (51-31 in 2021-22, 3rd; 58-24 last season, 1st). Last season, they handled business on both ends of the floor. Although their offense took a hit from 2021-22—going from third (115.1) to 12th (111.9)—they jumped from the 14th to the fourth-best defense in the league (111.9).
Speaking of last season, Antetokounmpo remained dominant. In 63 games, he averaged 31.1 points (a career-high), nearly 12 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 55% from the field. “The Greek Freak” is in the prime of his career at 28. He’s looking to take the Bucks to new heights and repeat his success from two seasons ago. Although the Bucks have a great group supporting Giannis, he’ll still have to do most of the heavy lifting to keep the Bucks in a favorable position.
The Importance of Next Season
Although the 2024-25 season is crucial for Milwaukee’s future, next season shouldn’t be overlooked. The Bucks have a chance to redeem themselves right away, even with the league-changing trades that transpired this summer.
Even though the West got significantly stronger, the Eastern Conference shifted a lot, too. The Nets officially dismantled their “big three”, while the Washington Wizards formally began their rebuild. Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics bolstered their frontcourt with the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis. The Heat are looking to make another Finals run—potentially with Damian Lillard. And the Philadelphia 76ers, though in an awkward position, have a chance to break through if the drama subsides.
The Eastern Conference isn’t necessarily the Bucks’ to lose, but they have an easier path at retaining their top-three status.
The Last Word
All in all, Milwaukee fans still have plenty to look forward to, and shouldn’t be too worried about Giannis’s recent comments. It will be up to Giannis and the Bucks to work together to remain top title contenders. As it stands right now, the future remains bright for the Bucks, and they are ready to return to the big stage soon enough.
