The Milwaukee Bucks are currently heavy favorites to emerge out of the East this season. For retired NBA big man and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, there's much more on the line for the Bucks if they fail to live up to the lofty expectations.
In a recent episode of ESPN's “Get Up,” Perkins explained why he believes Milwaukee risk losing their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, if they are unable to reach the Finals this term.
“For the Milwaukee Bucks, with them having the best record in two seasons in a row, they have to make it to the NBA Finals,” Perkins said, via Orlando Silva of Fadewaway World. “If they don’t make it to the NBA Finals is a failed season, is a bust season for them and they’re gonna have concerns as far as signing Giannis to a long-term extension. When you look back in 2009 and 2010 with LeBron James, he had the best record in the league both years but he failed to make it to the Finals and what he did? He went to join the Miami Heat so if I’m the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m worried because if don’t make it to the NBA Finals this year, it’s a bust season and the chances of losing Giannis are very high.”
Kendrick Perkins usually has a lot to say about pretty much everything. However, there's no denying that he makes a lot of sense here. The LeBron James reference makes his argument much more compelling as well.
Antetokounmpo's current contract is set to expire by 2021. The general belief is that he is set for a record-setting max extension with the Bucks this offseason. However, if Milwaukee fails to at least reach the Finals again this term, then the reigning MVP might just be inclined to take his talents elsewhere. At least, he might think about it a bit more.
For his part, Kendrick Perkins firmly believes that this is exactly what's going to happen.
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