Giannis Antetokounmpo says he needs to see how dedicated the Milwaukee Bucks is to competing for an additional championship earlier than deciding whether or not to signal a contract extension.
The two-time MVP will grow to be eligible subsequent month to increase the deal that presently runs via the 2024-25 season, with a participant choice for 2025-26. Antetokounmpo informed The New York Times he wouldn’t signal an extension this yr. He mentioned it’d make extra sense subsequent summer time, “but even then, I don’t know.”
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“I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing.”
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to its first title in a half-century in 2021, seven months after signing a supermax extension. But the Bucks haven’t gotten past the second spherical of the playoffs the final two seasons.
The Bucks posted the NBA’s greatest regular-season document in 2022-23 however misplaced 4-1 to the Miami Heat within the first spherical of the playoffs. They adopted that up by firing coach Mike Budenholzer and changing him with former Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.
Antetokounmpo mentioned he wished to “see the dynamics” of how every part works with the brand new teaching employees earlier than deciding whether or not to remain in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo additionally talked about his hopes of taking part in his complete profession with one franchise.
“But at the end of the day, being a winner, it’s over that goal,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “Winning a championship comes first. I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship.”
