Speculation over whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo would sign a contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks had dominated the offseason; Antetokounmpo has won the NBA regular season MVP award for the last two seasons
Saturday 19 December 2020 18:05, UK
NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has confirmed he has signed a five-year supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 26-year-old had until Monday to sign the Bucks' supermax offer. If he had turned it down, Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent after the upcoming season.
"I'm blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years," the two-time reigning MVP tweeted on Tuesday.
Although Antetokounmpo didn't announce the terms of his new deal, The Athletic reported that he agreed to a five-year contract worth $228m.
"This is my home, this is my city," Antetokounmpo tweeted.
"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."
His decision means the Bucks will hang on to their biggest superstar since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who led Milwaukee to its lone NBA title in 1971 but demanded a trade and was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975.
"Giannis is a once in a generation player and we are beyond excited for him to remain with the Bucks," said Bucks Co-Owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan.
"Giannis positively impacts everyone around him on and off the court and he brings a staggering dedication to winning and leadership to our organisation. His work ethic and desire to be the best epitomize what the Bucks stand for and what our future holds.
"We thank Giannis and his family for their long-term commitment to Milwaukee and we look forward to many years of success. This is a momentous day for the Bucks, our fans and the state of Wisconsin."
Antetokounmpo has led the Bucks to the best regular season record in the NBA for the last two seasons, but the team's failure in the playoffs had led to speculation he could seek a move elsewhere to fulfil his aim of becoming an NBA champion.
The Bucks were beaten in the Eastern Conference Finals by eventual champions the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2019, before being heavily beaten by the fifth-seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals last season.
Milwaukee traded for Jrue Holiday during the off-season in an attempt to improve Antetokounmpo's supporting cast, with the move appearing to have paid off for the Bucks front office.
"Giannis' NBA career began as an 18-year old from the Sepolia neighbourhood north of Athens, Greece," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said. "Through hard work, determination and an unequalled desire to be the best, Giannis has developed into a relentlessly driven, 26-year old, two-time Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Star for the Milwaukee Bucks.
"He's an incredible team-mate, a kind and caring person, an affable member of the Milwaukee community, and the leader of our team who sets the tone for our organisation. We are thrilled for Giannis and his family and are tremendously proud to sign him to this well-deserved contract extension."
Antetokounmpo won Defensive Player of the Year honours along with his second straight MVP award in 2019-20 as he posted career highs in scoring (29.5) and rebounding (11.4).
The four-time All-Star has career averages of 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 528 games (463 starts) with the Bucks. He was Milwaukee's first-round pick (15th overall) in 2013.
