Milwaukee Bucks All-Star and new dad Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke with SportsPulse and briefly addressed his long-term future in Milwaukee, and he stressed that winning would be the most important factor to compel him to re-up in Milwaukee. The 2018-19 MVP could hit free agency for the first time after the 2020-21 season.
When host Mackenzie Salmon asked if he sees himself “continuing his legacy” in Milwaukee, Giannis replied:
“I can't think that far ahead. I'm just trying to focus in the moment and get better, but why not? I'm the guy that wants to be with a team for a while, but as long as we're winning. And we're winning so far, so I don't think anything is going to change.”
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That may not be exactly the type of committal that the city of Milwaukee would like to hear, but, as Giannis correctly points out, the winning thing is going pretty well for the Bucks at the moment. At 46-8 with a staggering 11.5 net rating, they're having one of the best regular seasons in league history and are one of the favorites to win the title.
Giannis is on the record with his love for Milwaukee. The Bucks seem to have built a strong culture and organization around him, and head coach Mike Budenholzer is one of the best in the business. Still, the pull of bigger markets and other stars will undoubtedly entice Antetokounmpo, who will be just 26 and likely (at least) a two-time MVP by the time his free agency rolls around if he doesn't sign a supermax deal.
With fellow All-Star Khris Middleton, as well as Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez locked into pricy deals, the Bucks don't have a ton of flexibility before Giannis hits the market. Whether it's this season or next, this roster will have to prove itself capable of bringing Milwaukee its first title since 1971 in order to ensure Antetokounmpo sticks around.
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