Giannis Antetokounmpo's New Bucks Contract Leaves Opposing NBA Fans Disappointed
Giannis Antetoukounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. It includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
After Milwaukee was upset in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, Antetoukounmpo's long-term future with the organization was a mystery. It didn't help that the superstar gave vague answers about a potential extension in an Aug. 24 interview with Tania Ganguli of The New York Times.
"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," Antetoukounmpo said. "And if I don't feel that, I'm not signing."
The Bucks front office obviously eased his concerns after the blockbuster trade for point guard Damian Lillard, who has averaged 29.4 points per game since the 2019-20 season.
Fans that were hoping Antetoukounmpo's discontentment would develop into a trade request were dismayed by the news.
Fresh off his new extension, Antetoukounmpo will make his season debut on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET.
