In an era often defined by egos and relationships, Giannis Antetokounmpo is prioritizing one thing when considering his next contract: Winning.
Antetokounmpo has been on the record about his desire to spend his entire career with the Bucks, but he told The New York Times that an extension with Milwaukee isn’t a guarantee.
“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,” Antetokounmpo said. “And if I don't feel that, I'm not signing."
The Bucks won a championship in 2021 and have spent big to keep their core in place, but there are legitimate questions about how long the window can stay open even with a Hall of Fame talent on the roster. Jrue Holiday will turn 34 early next offseason, while Khris Middleton will turn 33 two months later.
Antetokounmpo’s demand for a championship-or-bust approach might force Milwaukee to make aggressive moves if the team falls short in 2024.
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The seven-time All-Star affirmed that he has no desire to leave the Bucks as long as they keep pursuing a title.
“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,” Antetokounmpo said. “The moment I feel like, 'Oh, yeah, we're trying to rebuild' … there will never be hard feelings with the Milwaukee Bucks."
Antetokounmpo repeatedly emphasized the importance of winning in the interview, showing a sense of urgency after the Bucks were upset by the Heat in the first round of the playoffs last season.
“Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship," he said.
Even with a commitment to winning, Antetokounmpo plans to wait until 2024 to ink a new deal. “Numbers-wise it doesn't make sense,” the two-time MVP said of signing an extension this offseason. The salary cap figures are expected to rise again after the season, giving Antetokounmpo a chance to maximize his value on his next deal.
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Antetokounmpo has already signed two extensions with the Bucks since he was drafted. He agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal with Milwaukee ahead of the 2016-17 season, and Antetokounmpo signed a five-year, $228 million supermax extension in 2020 on the heels of his second consecutive MVP award. That deal is set to expire in 2025, though he has a player option for 2025-26 at $51.9 million.
The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a new contract as early as Sep. 22, but it doesn't appear there will be any movement toward a deal until at least 2024.
