‣ Giannis Antetokounmpo is serious about winning another championship
‣ Khris Middleton is not worried about Antetokounmpo potentially leaving the Milwaukee Bucks
‣ The Milwaukee Bucks would welcome Antetokounmpo back and want him to sign an extension soon
Khris Middleton isn’t worried about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent comments about potentially leaving Milwaukee
“I think this is something he said almost every year he's come up in contract extension talks.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Details
Khris Middleton, a key player for the Milwaukee Bucks, is not concerned about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent comments about potentially leaving the team. Middleton believes that Antetokounmpo’s statements are part of his strategy to challenge the team and the organization to continue striving for championships. Middleton stated, “So when he says things like that, I think he just wants to challenge the team, the organization, to keep putting us in a position to win championships… I think it’s just something that he just wants to keep putting pressure on everybody. And that’s himself also.”
Antetokounmpo, a seven-time All-Star, signed a five-year, $228.2 million contract extension with the Bucks in December 2020. However, he becomes eligible for a three-year, $173 million extension this week. If he declines his player option in 2024-25, he will become a free agent next summer. Middleton expressed the team’s desire for Antetokounmpo to stay, saying, “We always want him back for sure… He’s one of the best players in the world. He’s one of the best players in franchise history.”
Antetokounmpo had an incredible performance in the 2022-23 season, averaging a career-high 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. He also scored a career-high 55 points in a game against the Washington Wizards. Antetokounmpo’s impressive performance earned him unanimous All-NBA First Team honors for the fifth consecutive season, a feat achieved by no other player in the last 50 years.
The Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021, with Antetokounmpo playing a significant role in their success. Without him, the Bucks would no longer be considered contenders for the championship. Middleton and the rest of the team would undoubtedly miss him if he were to leave.
As the team awaits Antetokounmpo’s decision, the Milwaukee Bucks have been given the fourth-shortest odds to win the championship in 2024, according to several NBA betting sites. Other teams such as the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns have slightly better odds. The uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future leaves fans and bettors eagerly awaiting his decision and its potential impact on the team’s championship aspirations.
