Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to be a draft-and-stash back in 2013, until the Milwaukee Bucks decided to roll the dice on the freakishly long and athletic Greek.
The move paid off for the Bucks, and now, it’s time for Antetokounmpo to get paid. $100 million for four years is a lot of money, but the young Buck could have earned more had he not opted for less than the max in order for the team to retain some cap space.
For that, Milwaukee is very thankful. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo is also appreciative of the opportunity he has gotten so he penned a letter dedicated to the Bucks hopefuls.
Bucks Fans,
When I first came here three years ago, just 18 years old and embarking on an incredible journey in a foreign land without my family by my side, you embraced me. Your support during those first few months was incredible. While I adjusted to a new league and a new life, you welcomed me and treated me like family, as though I’d been a part of this community my whole life. When my parents and brothers arrived later that season, you welcomed them with open arms as well. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. That first game they attended – an exciting win over the Knicks in early February – didn't mean much in the standings that season, but it meant the world to me. Family has always been a driving force in my life, and after three years here in Milwaukee I'm proud to say that you all are a part of my family now, too.
The Bucks took a chance on me three years ago, and have invested so much into helping me grow as both a player and a person. I promise to make that a great investment for both this team and city, on the court and off. I'm going to do whatever it takes to bring a championship back to our great fans, and I'm going to keep growing as a member of this community to make it a better place for future generations.
We still have a ways to go. I've seen how difficult it is to win in the NBA and I understand how hard we're going to have to work to get there. We have all the tools, though, and we have the best fans in the world here in Wisconsin ready to embrace this team just as you've embraced me and my family. We're building something special right now and there's no place else I'd rather be.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I can't wait to see you all this season and for many years to come.
Now let's get to work!
– Giannis
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