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Eric WoodyardESPN
One of the biggest questions of the NBA offseason always arises: Will Giannis Antetokounmpo accept a five-year supmermax extension to stay in Milwaukee?
Although his current head coach Mike Budenholzer and teammate Khris Middleton may not have the answers, they have made known their intentions.
“I have a lot of respect for Giannis. In my situation last year, he told me how he felt, and that’s all I can do in return,” said Middleton. “I think we’re more than friends at this point. We’ve been together for eight years. We’ve been through a lot together too, so at the end of the day I want him to do what there is. has better things for him and his family.
“He knows that I deeply want him to come back and sign this extension, but at the same time I know he has a big decision that he has to work on his own and with his family at home because these are the most important people, “he continued. “Whatever he does, he knows that I will support him as much as possible, so I talked to him. I give him my two cents and my opinion or I try to convince him, but in the end, I” I will always love him and appreciate all he has to do. “
Antetokounmpo has until Dec. 21 to sign the five-year extension of $ 228 million supermax. The back-to-back winner of MVP and Defensive Player of the Year may also sign the same contract with the Bucks next summer. But, if he chooses to leave Milwaukee, the maximum contract he has would be worth $ 145 million over four years, a difference of $ 83 million.
He returned from Greece to Milwaukee this week as the Bucks prepared to enter training camp. Even when he returned to his home country, communication remained frequent between him and the organization.
“The conversations with Giannis have been great this summer. He is incredibly supportive of us and everything we try to do to make this team the best it can be, and the same goes for us supporting him,” said Budenholzer. “It’s an important decision. I think the communication between him and me has been really good, really productive, fruitful. Same with [general manager] Jon [Horst], so we feel really good about communicating with Giannis throughout the summer and off season. “
Antetokounmpo enters the peak of his career after registering the highest player efficiency rating in a season of all time (31.86). He recorded the best career numbers of 29.5 points and 13.6 rebounds in just 30.4 minutes per game. Milwaukee also finished with the best regular season record for the second year in a row, but fell short of the ultimate goal, which was to reach the final.
Still, Budenholzer wouldn’t classify it as a championship or bust situation for the Bucks this season.
“We have always hugged and we feel lucky to have the feeling we have the roster, we feel we have incredibly talented players on both sides of the pitch and we are in the mix to be the last team standing. “said Budenholzer. “But, there is a process that every team has to go through to get there. I think the goal is real, the opportunity is real, but I think if you are an organization or a team that doesn’t accept this , you might be in the wrong business, but at the same time, thinking a season is a league or a failure is definitely not the way we approached it opportunity and we want to be that last team standing up, but that phrase is just something that doesn’t resonate with me or, I think, our group or the organization. “
After having had time to reflect on this regular season success that did not translate into the playoffs, Middleton did not hesitate to express his disappointment with the result. Milwaukee is hoping to return a better team with the addition of All-Star Jrue Holiday, DJ Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig and the re-signing of Pat Connaughton.
“Find a way to make that regular season hit a playoff hit. Find a way to do it. Like I said, it was a disappointing season last year for the way we came out.” , Middleton said. “I think it’s always when you don’t win and you’re not the last team standing, but you have to find a way. We’re a great team. We’ve added a lot of nice pieces that can help us out. to improve and reach that goal I’m excited for the season.
Middleton added: “There’s always a sense of urgency to win, especially the past two years. We know we’re in a great position. We have a big opportunity ahead of us after losing a few opportunities behind us, so we I have to take advantage of this time while we can, because that window is not as wide or open as it used to be. It’s not as easy. You have to take advantage of those years when you can. “
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