Giannis Antetokounmpo is sticking around for the foreseeable future, much to the delight, and relief, of Bucks fans.
The transcendent NBA star announced on social media on Monday evening that he agreed to a contract extension with the team.
The team initially reposted Antetokounmpo’s tweet with the message: “The best possible cure for the Mondays.” The post was later removed without explanation, but the Bucks made an official announcement Tuesday afternoon.
According to multiple reports, Antetokounmpo has agreed to a three-year extension worth $186 million, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. His previous contract was set to run through the 2024-25 season, with a player option for 2025-26. The extension means that Antetokounmpo will remain in Milwaukee for at least four years, possibly five if he exercises his option.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Antetokounmpo raised eyebrows and caused unease among Bucks fans when he said earlier this year that he didn’t plan to sign an extension until next summer, which he felt made more sense financially for him. He also made it clear that he wanted to be certain that the Bucks were committed to putting a championship-caliber team on the court before he signed an extension.
Antetokounmpo’s comments had many national pundits predicting that he would leave Milwaukee, much like they had before he signed a 2021 extension.
He got loyalty inside his DNA. pic.twitter.com/LWnLjTSTlH
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 24, 2023
Nicknamed the “Greek Freak,” the 28-year-old Antetokounmpo is in his 11th season with the Bucks, who selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. The Bucks won just 15 games in Antetokounmpo’s rookie season, but after some early struggles, the team began a steady transformation into an elite franchise, buoyed by its budding star.
Led by Antetokounmpo, the Bucks won the NBA crown in 2021, the franchise’s first title in 50 years and only its second-ever since joining the league as an expansion team in 1968. Antetokounmpo was named NBA Finals MVP after the Bucks knocked off the Phoenix Suns in six games, with the crowning moment coming on their home court at Fiserv Forum. Antetokounmpo was at the top of his game during the run to the title, tallying 50 points and 14 rebounds in the deciding game.
MILWAUKEEEEEEEEE!! Let’s get it!!!! #BucksInSix #Extended pic.twitter.com/2wP0AVqG3Y
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) October 23, 2023
A seven-time All-Star, Antetokounmpo has also won two regular-season MVP awards (2019, 2020) and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2020.
Aside from the on-court accomplishments, Antetokounmpo has helped boost the Bucks’ financial fortunes. Milwaukee averaged 17,531 fans per game at Fiserv Forum last season, compared with 15,035 at the Bradley Center for the 2012-13 season, the last before Antetokounmpo’s arrival.
The Bucks ranked last among the 30 NBA teams with a value estimated at $312 million in 2013. When former co-owner Marc Lasry sold his stake to the Haslam family in February, the deal valued the Bucks at $3.5 billion.
The region has benefitted financially, as well. Visit Milwaukee, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, estimated that the Bucks’ run to the NBA championship in 2021 had a $57.6 million impact on direct and indirect spending in the area and generated $1.1 million in total local taxes.
For all the success he’s had to this point, Antetokounmpo has much it abundantly clear that he desires to win another NBA championship or multiple titles.
The Bucks made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals the season after winning the title but fell to the Boston Celtics. Last season, the Bucks secured the No. 1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference but were handed a shocking first-round loss by the Miami Heat, which led to the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer, who had guided the team to the championship two seasons earlier.
In an apparent effort to appease Antetokounmpo, the Bucks acquired superstar guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in September, giving the Bucks a prolific shooter to compliment Antetokounmpo’s often dominant abilities around the basket.
The Bucks open the 2023-24 regular season with three consecutive home games – Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday versus the Atlanta Hawks and Monday when they square off against the Heat.
