{"id":52865,"date":"2023-08-25T10:13:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T14:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=52865"},"modified":"2023-08-26T19:40:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T23:40:04","slug":"nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-reveals-uncertain-future-with-bucks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/25\/nba-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-reveals-uncertain-future-with-bucks\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Uncertain Future with Bucks"},"content":{"rendered":"

In ten years, <\/span>Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/b><\/a> has compiled a decorated resume with the <\/span>Milwaukee Bucks<\/b><\/a>. He\u2019s harnessed seven All-Star selections, won two MVPs, and delivered the team\u2019s first NBA title since 1971. Still, for fans who envision Antetokounmpo being in Milwaukee for life, he recently appeared to say that the\u2026buck stops here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antetokounmpo sat down for an <\/span>interview with Tania Ganguli of the New York Times<\/span><\/a>, which was published Thursday. Among the main topics discussed was the NBA star\u2019s 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\u2019s one that, at the moment, Giannis isn\u2019t certain of, saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I would not be the best version of myself if I don\u2019t know that everybody\u2019s on the same page, everybody\u2019s going for a championship, everybody\u2019s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don\u2019t feel that, I\u2019m not signing.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Where do things between Giannis and the Bucks stand right now, and what will it take for Giannis to stay?<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Uncertain Future with Bucks<\/b><\/h2>\n

Background<\/b><\/h3>\n

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 \u201cdid not want to play basketball anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>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.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Bucks <\/span>fired Mike Budenholzer<\/span><\/a> after they were upset by the no. 8 seed <\/span>Miami Heat<\/b><\/a> in last year\u2019s playoffs. They brought in former <\/span>Toronto Raptors<\/b><\/a> assistant Adrian Griffin, which is part of why Antetokounmpo is uncertain about an extension.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>You\u2019ve got to see the dynamics,<\/span>\u201d Antetokounmpo told Ganguli. \u201c<\/span>How the coach is going to be, how we\u2019re 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\u2019re on the same page with that and you show me and we go together to win a championship, I\u2019m all for it.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if the Bucks decide they\u2019re going to rebuild, Giannis subtly indicated that\u2019s where his stance could change. It\u2019s 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 \u201cnever be hard feelings\u201d towards the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Antetokounmpo expressed a desire to play for 20 seasons, following the loyal footsteps of <\/span>Kobe Bryant<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Dirk Nowitzki<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Tim Duncan<\/b><\/a>, he also noted his desire to win above all else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Winning a championship comes first. I don\u2019t want to be 20 years on the same team and don\u2019t win another championship.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The State of the Milwaukee Bucks<\/h3>\n

Milwaukee still has their core of Antetokounmpo, <\/span>Khris Middleton<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Jrue Holiday<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Brook Lopez<\/b><\/a> intact. They\u2019ve also kept impactful players in sixth man <\/span>Bobby Portis<\/b><\/a> and sharpshooter <\/span>Pat Connaughton<\/b><\/a>. This offseason, the Bucks added several role players to address previous deficiencies. They signed <\/span>Malik Beasley<\/b><\/a>, a known perimeter threat who struggled at times towards the end of last season, and Brook\u2019s twin brother, <\/span>Robin Lopez<\/b><\/a>, a respectable backup center. Also, Milwaukee drafted promising players and re-signed 3-and-D forward <\/span>Jae Crowder<\/b><\/a>, shoring up frontcourt depth. They lost key rotational players in <\/span>Jevon Carter<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Joe Ingles<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Wesley Matthews<\/b><\/a>, among others. But all things considered, the Bucks seem fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span>New York Knicks<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Cleveland Cavaliers<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Brooklyn Nets<\/b><\/a>) coming for contention, the Bucks must assert their dominance. As it stands right now, they have the tools to do so. However, next season\u2014a contract year for Giannis\u2014will prove even more pivotal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from Giannis, the Bucks have kept the rest of the \u201ccore four\u201d 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\u2019s 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\u2019s head coaching career.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Redemption Attainable for the Bucks?<\/b><\/h3>\n

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\u2014going from third (115.1) to 12th (111.9)\u2014they jumped from the 14th to the fourth-best defense in the league (111.9).<\/span><\/p>\n

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. \u201cThe Greek Freak\u201d is in the prime of his career at 28. He\u2019s 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, <\/span>he\u2019ll still have to do most of the heavy lifting<\/span><\/a> to keep the Bucks in a favorable position.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Importance of Next Season<\/b><\/h3>\n

Although the 2024-25 season is crucial for Milwaukee\u2019s future, next season shouldn\u2019t be overlooked. The Bucks have a chance to redeem themselves right away, even with the league-changing trades that transpired this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though the West got significantly stronger, the Eastern Conference shifted a lot, too. The Nets officially dismantled their \u201cbig three\u201d, while the <\/span>Washington Wizards<\/b><\/a> formally began their rebuild. Elsewhere, the <\/span>Boston Celtics<\/b><\/a> bolstered their frontcourt with the <\/span>acquisition<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>Kristaps Porzingis<\/b><\/a>. The Heat are looking to make another Finals run\u2014<\/span>potentially<\/span><\/a> with <\/span>Damian Lillard<\/b><\/a>. And the <\/span>Philadelphia 76ers<\/b><\/a>, though in an awkward position, have a chance to break through <\/span>if the drama subsides<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Eastern Conference isn\u2019t necessarily the Bucks\u2019 to lose, but they have an easier path at retaining their top-three status.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/b><\/h3>\n

All in all, Milwaukee fans still have plenty to look forward to, and shouldn\u2019t be too worried about Giannis\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In ten years, Giannis Antetokounmpo has compiled a decorated resume with the Milwaukee Bucks. He\u2019s harnessed seven All-Star selections, won two MVPs, and delivered the team\u2019s first NBA title since 1971. Still, for fans who envision Antetokounmpo being in Milwaukee for life, he recently appeared to say that the\u2026buck stops here. Antetokounmpo sat down for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":52584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,15,62],"tags":[1255,233,306,515,239,324,293,202,4774,1287],"class_list":["post-52865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-bucks","category-nba","tag-bobby-portis","tag-brook-lopez","tag-giannis-antetokounmpo","tag-jae-crowder","tag-jrue-holiday","tag-khris-middleton","tag-malik-beasley","tag-nba-news","tag-rumors","tag-pat-connaughton"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52865\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}