Supermax extension for Giannis
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s stayingwiththeBucks for at least fivemore seasons.
“I’m blessed to be a part of theMilwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years,” the two-time reigningMVPpostedTuesday on his socialmedia platforms.
The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo had until Monday to sign the Bucks’ supermax extension offer. If he turned it down, Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent after the upcoming season.
Although Antetokounmpo didn’t announce the terms of his new deal, reports said he agreed to a five-year contract worth $ 228 million that includes an opt-out clause in 2025.
“This ismy home, this ismy city,” Antetokounmpo said in his post. “I’mblessed to beable to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for thenext5years. Let’s make these years count. The showgoes on, let’s get it.”
His decision means the Bucks will hang on to their biggest superstar sinceHall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wholed theBucks to their lone NBAtitle in1971 butdemanded a trade and was dealt to the Lakers in 1975.
The Bucks paid a hefty price to revamp their roster this offseason in an attempt to persuade Antetokounmpo to stay. They dealt away guards Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, first-round pick R.J. Hampton and two more first-round selections as part of a package to acquire JrueHoliday.
They added Bobby Portis, D.J. Augustin, TorreyCraigand Bryn Forbes.
Despite regular- season success, the Antetokounmpo-led Bucks have yet to reach the NBA Finals. The Bucks lost a second-round series in five games to the Heat last season, with Antetokounmpo missing most of Game4 and all ofGame5with a sprained right ankle. In 2019, theBucks reached the Eastern Conference finals and took a 2-0 lead over the eventual NBAchampionRaptors before dropping four straight.
The 6-foot-11 “Greek Freak” averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists last season while winning his second straight MVP award. He also was named the NBA’s defensive player of the year.