The biggest news of 2021 free agency is already settled — and Giannis Antetokounmpo is joining the Bucks for the long term.
As confirmed by the back-to-back MVP himself, Antetokounmpo is signing a supermax contract extension to remain in Milwaukee. The deal is for five years and $228 million.
Antetokounmpo’s fairly quick decision is a rarity in an age where superstars tend to hold their teams hostage and wait to see what plays out in free agency, often leaving millions of dollars in the process.
But Antetokounmpo has always been known as a loyal person who truly does appreciate the Bucks drafting him with the No. 15 overall pick in 2013. It doesn’t hurt that the Bucks have finished with the NBA’s best regular-season record in each of the past two seasons.
The fact they have yet to reach the Finals is almost beside the point. They are on the brink and general manager Jon Horst has made it clear he is committed to improving the roster.
That obviously was good enough for Antetokounmpo.
“Some see a wall and go in [another direction]. I plow through it,” Antetokounmpo told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports back in September. “We just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season.”
Antetokounmpo, 25, is 6-foot-11 and was also named Defensive Player of the Year last season. The Bucks are again considered among the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference after trading for vetern guard Jrue Holiday.
“If winning a championship was easy, everyone would have one,” Antetokounmpo told Haynes. “We lost. Everyone saw that we lost. It’s disappointing, but what are we going to do? We’re going to keep working. I’ve got confidence in my teammates.”
