After losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season to the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks suddenly have a new concern.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, their franchise player, recently told the New York Times that he will not sign a contract extension with them unless he feels they will continue to contend for championships in the coming years.
He can opt out of his current deal in 2025, and if he doesn’t, he will become a free agent in the summer of 2026 when that deal expires.
Per Ball Don’t Lie, Vince Goodwill says that rather than giving up and trading Antetokounmpo, they should “go for it” and get him some help right now.
The Bucks gotta go all in with Giannis.@VinceGoodwill talks keeping the Bucks star in Milwaukee and more on this episode of Good Word with Goodwill👇
🍎: https://t.co/KtS22h076X
✳️: https://t.co/mTBjRT9Yen
📺: https://t.co/SbOX4Agt0Y pic.twitter.com/X1W4VdFS5Y— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) September 21, 2023
As it currently stands, the Bucks appear to be front-running title contenders this coming season, but Khris Middleton (32), Jrue Holiday (33) and Brook Lopez (35) are getting older.
They must not only get younger but also land a star, if not a superstar, who is young enough to keep them in the league’s upper echelon for years to come.
The Indiana Pacers have just made sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield available, and some feel he may be a good candidate for Milwaukee to go after, even though he is 30 years of age.
Pundits are already speculating on where Antetokounmpo may end up if he does leave the Bucks, with the New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors mentioned as teams that will monitor his situation.
NEXT: Bucks Share Pictures Of Khris Middleton Back In The Gym
