Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the past two seasons, he announced Tuesday that he will renew his contract with Milwaukee Bucks for five more years.
Antetokounmpo ended speculation about his future by announcing his renewal with the Milwaukee Bucks, in biggest contract in league history: $ 228 million.
“This is my home, this is my city … I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s go for it,” the forward wrote in his Instagram account.
Coveted by the NBA’s top teams, Antetokounmpo’s current engagement with the Bucks ended at the end of next season, which kicks off on December 22. The extension will mean an income of about 228.2 million dollars for the Greek star for five years, until 2026, although the forward will have an option to leave the team before the last season, according to media.
The future of Antetokounmpo, who had until last Monday to ensure his renewal this year with the Bucks, was the current great unknown in the NBA and kept many franchises that saved enough salary space to launch their offers to the Greek in 2021.
Antetokounmpo could have chosen to join a team that offered him a bigger market than Milwaukee and a team with greater potential to satisfy his hunger for championships than the Bucks, who have suffered major disappointments in recent years in the playoffs. However, chose to commit long-term to the team that chose him with number 15 of the 2013 Draft, when he was an unknown in the second division of the Greek league.
“The prospect of joining a super team didn’t appeal to him as much as continuing to compete in Milwaukee,” explained ESPN renowned journalist Adrian Wojnarowski.
Last September, Antetokounmpo became the third player in history, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lebron James, in winning two MVP awards at age 25. The Greek also joined Michael Jordan (1987-1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-1994) as the only three players to have received the MVP and Best Defender of the Year award in a single season.
These recognitions, however, came at a difficult time, after losing to the Miami Heat in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference in the playoffs that were held in the “bubble” of Orlando. “I am happy for this award, but I want more. I want to be champion,” Giannis said after receiving the MVP.
Antetokounmpo (29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game) led the Bucks to being the best team in the NBA regular season last season, but they failed to reach the Finals.
Determined to convince their big star to renew, the Bucks have been reinforced for next season with veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, with whom they improve a starting five that also make up guard Donte DiVincenzo, All-Star forward Khris Middleton and pivot Brook Lopez.
Part of a humble Nigerian immigrant family in Greece, Antetokounmpo has progressed through his seven NBA seasons to become a 2.11-meter tall force, with versatility that allows him to play in all positions.
According to the criteria of
More information
BESIDES
.
