Giannis is here to stay
Two-time MVP commits five years to Bucks with the biggest contract in NBA history
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Giannis Antetokounmpo will be staying in the US Midwest, for the near future at least.
NEW YORK • Giannis Antetokounmpo has redoubled his commitment to the National Basketball Association (NBA) after accepting a five-year contract extension worth an estimated US$228 million (S$303 million) from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Six days before a Dec 21 deadline to either sign the "super-max" extension or become an unrestricted free agent after this season, the "Greek Freak" released a statement via his social media channels on Tuesday, proclaiming himself "blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next five years".
"This is my home, this is my city. Let's make these years count. The show goes on, let's get it," Antetokounmpo wrote.
In a team statement confirming the deal, the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the past two years said: "You took a chance on us eight years ago and now putting my signature on a contract like this is unreal - but it's all because of hard work.
"This is my home and I'm going to continue working hard and do my best to make the Bucks, our fans and the city proud. Let's have fun, win and make these years count."
The Bucks selected Antetokounmpo, who was born and raised in Greece by Nigerian parents, as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft, despite his limited experience in the Greek second division.
The forward has blossomed beyond all expectations and, by committing his long-term future to the Bucks, has delivered the team one of their more significant victories since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson led Milwaukee to their only NBA championship in 1971.
"This is one of the great days in Bucks history," Peter Feigin, the Bucks' team president, said during a virtual meeting organised by the Milwaukee Press Club.
The extension, which allows an opt-out after four years, will be the largest contract in NBA history, surpassing the five-year, US$207 million contract Russell Westbrook signed to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.
After winning MVP honours for the first time last year, Antetokounmpo averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game last season to once again earn honours as the best player of the regular season.
He was also named Defensive Player of the Year last season, joining Michael Jordan (1987-88) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94) as the only players to win the MVP and defensive player awards in the same season.
The Bucks posted the league's best regular-season record in each of the past two seasons but have had back-to-back play-off disappointments, which led to considerable apprehension in Milwaukee that Antetokounmpo might pass on the extension and choose a new team next season.
But after a meek second-round play-off series loss to the Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat last term, Bucks officials promised the 26-year-old that they would upgrade the roster.
They duly agreed to a trade last month to acquire guard Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. A planned sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings to acquire restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic has fallen through, however.
Tuesday's announcement ended a nervy period for the Bucks since the Holiday acquisition, sparing the small-market franchise from the flood of constant questions about Antetokounmpo's future as the team try to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.
NYTIMES
5 BIGGEST CONTRACTS IN NBA HISTORY
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (2020)
US$228m (S303 million), five-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
RUSSELL WESTBROOK (2017)
US$206.8m, five-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder
STEPHEN CURRY (2017)
US$201.2m, five-year deal with the Golden State Warriors
KLAY THOMPSON (2019)
US$189.9m, five-year deal with the Golden State Warriors
ANTHONY DAVIS (2020)
US$189.9m, five-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers