Giannis Antetokounmpo had the most Giannis Antetokounmpo answer for whether or not he’s signing the supermax deal for the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Right now, I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said. “I know my agent Alex (Saratsis), and Jon Horst, and the (Milwaukee Bucks) ownership are focusing on those discussions. I’m just trying to focus on myself.”
The Bucks season started, so it’s no surprise the 26-year-old two-time MVP doesn’t want to talk contract. He now has the perfect excuse not to and, at this point, that’s right in line with how Antetokounmpo has been his entire career — all business.
Antetokounmpo, who turned 26 on Dec. 6, could re-sign with Milwaukee for five years, $223-million anytime up to Dec. 21.
The Bucks went all-in on this season to try and appease, arguably, the NBA’s best player. They traded three first-round picks, George Hill and Eric Bledsoe, along with two pick swaps for Jrue Holiday, who could leave when Antetokounmpo does, after this season.
“Having Holiday on the team is big time,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s a great leader, a great human being. He can defend, he can score the ball. He’s going to bring that edge on this team that we need.”
Milwaukee’s expectation seems to be an NBA title, but Antetokounmpo believe this season is a “championship-or-bust situation.”
The defensive player of the year averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in only 30.4 minutes last season, which was cut short due to the pandemic and playing the playoffs in the bubble arguably hurt Milwaukee, which seemed almost unbeatable at home.
The Bucks finishing with a league-best 56-17 record last season.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 6, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)