In recent weeks, sources close to the Bucks have reported that the franchise expects Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign an extension to stay in Milwaukee once his contract ends in the summer of 2021. As reported by Zach Lowe from ESPN In the last hours, after the failed transfer of Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Bucks are slowly losing their initial confidence.
The Bucks have been silent on the matter after the misstep. That does not mean that the Greek is not going to renew with the Bucks, but according to Lowe it is the first time that the franchise is not entirely optimistic about the continuity of its star.
Milwaukee had been confident that Giannis would re-sign after the team acquired Jrue Holiday via trade, in what is seen as a better accompaniment than Eric Bledsoe to the playoffs. However, it was reported at the time that Antetokounmpo preferred Bogdanovic as the Bucks’ primary target.
The deadline for the player and the franchise to agree on an extension is December 21. It is stipulated that even if Giannis decides not to renew before the deadline, the Bucks have no intention of changing him but prefer to build the most competitive team possible around the Greek during the next season; even if they risk losing him for nothing in return in the summer of 2021. However, not signing him now would bring an avalanche of speculation that would put the superstar’s focus on his next steps as a free agent, and that could distract him from the current season. Teams like Mavericks, Heat and Warriors have been more than interested in joining the bid for the services of the current MVP.
The super maximum contract Giannis could sign with the Bucks is likely to be worth about $ 228 million over five years. It could even go as high as 243 million, depending on how the salary cap evolves for the 2021-22 season. While it’s early to panic, the silence both parties are maintaining as we approach the deadline is beginning to make fans impatient.
(Cover photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
