Giannis & Bucks Agree To Super Max Contract Keeping Him In Milwaukee Through 2025

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 01 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Sources early this afternoon broke the story that Giannis Antetokuonmpo will be signing a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 26-year-old will sign a 5 year, $228.2 million supermax with the franchise. Giannis’s deal now becomes the largest deal in NBA history. The back-to-back NBA MVP, and reigning NBA defensive player of the year is now committed to staying in Milwaukee long term. The deal does have the option of an opt-out after the 4th year.

Giannis took to Twitter to confirm the news of his contract extension showing praise and loyalty to the organization stating,

“This is my home, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo posted on Twitter. “I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.”

The record deal is well deserved and makes sense given how NBA salaries have increased over the past few years. The two-time MVP is coming off the best year of his career after averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds to go with 5.6 assists per game. All were career highs for the Greek Freek and to add to it he also posted the highest efficiency rating of any player in NBA History. He was both the MVP and Defensive Player of the year in the same season which has only been done by two other players in NBA History – Michael Jordan & Hakeem Olajuwon.

He has led Milwaukee to the best record in the league last two seasons while also securing MVP.  This is impressive especially with the talent all around today but it’s even more impressive when you consider how he has done it. Giannis has improved every year and it doesn’t seem like he’s done. Not only do the numbers suggest that he’s not done improving but just observing how his handle, jumper, and defensive ability have all improved every season is why the Bucks didn’t hesitate to offer Giannis this extension.

The long-term deal implies that both parties are committed long-term because they see a championship happening within the next 5 years. Giannis isn’t untradeable or anything like but the fact that he signed long term says a lot. He could have signed a 3-year max or something shorter so that if the Bucks couldn’t secure a championship in the next few years he would have his choice to part ways with the organization. The deal shows that Giannis and the Bucks are mutually committed to each other and have a mutual understanding that the goal is a championship.

Antetokounmpo, who turned 26 on Dec. 6, joined Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James this season as the only players to win multiple NBA MVP awards by age 25. He’s had a history of expressing his interest in staying in Milwaukee under the right circumstances.

“I’ve been encouraged my whole career in Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said after winning his second MVP. “I know that we’ve gotten better each year and I know that Milwaukee has great people that view every year the same I do every year, which is to play well, improve and win it all.”