On Tuesday afternoon, reactions from around the NBA world began pouring in shortly after Giannis Antetokounmpo announced that he will sign a five-year, supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Teams across the league watching Giannis sign his extension 😢 pic.twitter.com/t2LAqfjCkp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2020
Rest easy, Milwaukee: you've finally found your Vander Blue replacement https://t.co/TFVHhCyJ3D
— /r/CollegeBasketball (@redditCBB) December 15, 2020
The jokes are funny but it’s a bummer that we’re all just waiting for the next forced star free agency drama. https://t.co/vtV1orXB3y
— Chris Barnewall (@ChrisBarnewall) December 15, 2020
why is everyone tweeting about espn after the giannis news lmao
— trey (@TreyfromNY) December 15, 2020
Giannis Antetokounmpo broke the news in an Instagram post.
“This is my home, this is my city…I'm blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let's make these years count. The show goes on, let's get it,” the superstar captioned, along with an image of him in Bucks jersey.
The extension will pay the two-time MVP $228.2 million over five years, the largest deal in NBA history. More importantly, it will keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee for the long-term and prevent him from reaching unrestricted free agency in 2021.
“The Milwaukee Bucks did not win an NBA championship today … but this is the closest thing to it for the franchise,” the New York Times' Marc Stein tweeted.
The fact that Antetokounmpo agreed to re-up with Milwaukee before the Dec. 21 season takes a huge burden off the 2020-21 Bucks as they compete for a title.
And, as Michael Lee of the Washington Post tweeted, the Giannis Antetokounmpo extension is a huge win for small-market franchises.
“It’s such a relief that these Giannis rumors can finally be put to bed. It’s great that a small market was able to fend off the vultures & keep a marquee attraction. It’s even better that an MVP sees value in staying with the first organization to believe in him & let him shine.”
Why Talen Horton-Tucker should be untouchable in a Giannis trade. MY COLUMN: https://t.co/6qM65VXvFu
— Derek James (@ByDerekJames) December 15, 2020
Los Angeles Sparks star and hoops analyst Candace Parker also voiced her enthusiasm about the deal.
Whether you are like Giannis and resign long term or like LBJ or KD and decide to change situations and teams. I’m happy we are at a point where players can choose what makes THEM happy. No one questions when a manager in the Midwest decides they want to go south. (Cont)
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) December 15, 2020
Congrats to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the city of Milwaukee, and Bucks fans everywhere.
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