Giannis says he won’t sign extension with Bucks yet, fueling Warriors speculation

Giannis Antetokounmpo said he isn’t sure about Milwaukee’s commitment to winning, leading many to wonder if the Warriors could acquire the two-time MVP

The Warriors fan base has spent years hoping — really, wishcasting and pining — for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to join them.

However, while that move has seemed extremely unlikely for years, it may now seem a little more likely.

Antetokounmpo stated in an extensive New York Times profile that focuses primarily on his business ventures that he will not sign an extension with the Bucks this offseason, even though he is eligible to add three years to the deal. And, while he stated that spending his entire career with one team is a goal of his, it is not his primary one.

“But, at the end of the day, being a winner, it’s over that goal,” he explained. “First and foremost, winning a championship.” I don’t want to be on the same team for 20 years and not win another championship.”

Those remarks should only fuel speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks, as well as alert other NBA teams, such as the Warriors, that the two-time MVP and 2021 Finals MVP could try to force his way out of Milwaukee.

The Bucks finished 2022-23 with the best record in the NBA, 58-24, but were eliminated in five games by the No. 8 seed Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo left Game 1 early, missed the next two games, then returned but struggled from the free-throw line in Game 5, missing 13 free throws.

Following that defeat, the Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, later replacing him with former Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. The coaching change, according to Antetokounmpo, is a major reason he isn’t signing an extension right now.

“You’ve got to see the dynamics,” he explained. “How the coach will be, and how we will be together.” At the end of the day, I believe that all of my teammates and the organization understand my desire to win a championship. I’m all for it as long as we’re on the same page about it, and you show me how we can work together to win a championship. The moment I realize, oh, yeah, we’re rebuilding —”

“There will never be hard feelings with the Milwaukee Bucks,” Antetokounmpo said after a brief pause. I believe we’ve had ten incredible years, and there’s no doubt I gave my all for the city of Milwaukee. Everything. Every night, even when I’m in pain. I am a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Green is my color. “I am aware of this.”

Milwaukee made no major roster changes this offseason, opting to re-sign wing Khris Middleton and center Brook Lopez. Their lineup will continue to revolve around Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and point guard Jrue Holiday.

Antetokounmpo is in the third year of a five-year contract extension signed before the 2020-21 season, with the fifth year being a player option. He’ll earn $45.6 million in 2023-24 and $48.8 million in 2024-25 before deciding whether to exercise his $51.9 million player option for 2025-26.

He’ll be eligible to sign a three-year extension with the Bucks soon, but Antetokounmpo isn’t sure he wants to stay in Milwaukee.

“The real question isn’t going to be this year — the numbers don’t add up,” Antetokounmpo said. “However, it would make more sense for both parties next year, next summer.” Even then, I’m not sure.

“I wouldn’t be the best version of myself if I didn’t know that everyone is on the same page, that everyone is striving for a championship, and that everyone is willing to sacrifice time away from their families like I am.” And if I don’t feel that way, I’m not going to sign.”

While Antetokounmpo is not asking for a trade, his public declaration will likely frighten Milwaukeeans and fuel massive speculation in every other NBA city. Perhaps no fan base will fuel this speculation more than those in the Bay Area.

Golden State fans have long pondered what a pairing of Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry in the Bay Area could look like, even going crazy over a doctored video from earlier this offseason. It’s difficult to blame them, though, because Curry and Antetokounmpo appear to be friendly and have played beautiful basketball together in NBA All-Star games.

The Warriors might also have the pieces to make any move work. While the Warriors traded potential young star Jordan Poole to the Wizards for Chris Paul, they can still package Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga (and potentially Paul’s nonguaranteed contract for 2024-25) with a slew of draft picks and swaps — the Warriors’ only future first-round pick they don’t control is next year’s, meaning they could send up to six first-round picks.

The Warriors have already added a top league star to their core during the current dynasty era, signing Kevin Durant as a free agent in 2016. That move has led Warriors fans to believe it could happen again, even though many believe it is unlikely.

However, the star player Warriors fans crave is now fueling the fire himself.

This should add to the intrigue of an already intriguing Warriors season.