The Defensive Player of the Year, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a free agent after the 2020-21 season. Many believe after the Bucks were eliminated for the second straight season after finishing with the best record, that he is destined to hit the open market and keep the league and fans guessing the entire offseason. Well, hold that thought, because Giannis is staying in Milwaukee….at least for now.
During a press conference Antetokounmpo said “It’s not happening. That’s not happening. Some see a wall and go in [another direction]. I plow through it. We just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season. If winning a championship was easy, everyone would have one. We lost. Everyone saw that we lost. It’s disappointing, but what are we going to do? We’re going to keep working. I’ve got confidence in my teammates. This is a team and I’m going to do whatever I can to help our team win games.”
Antetokounmpo is eligible for a super-max extension that could pay him up to $50 million per year for the next five years. Will the Bucks spend that money and get creative to get him help for another run next season? Antetokounmpo can not do it by himself and his team did well in his absence, but a creator is missing from this team. We know shooting threes is what the NBA is about, but someone who can create their own and kick it out to perimeter would complement Antetokounmpo very well. This is exactly why there are rumors about pursuing Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Chris Paul. People thought Paul would hang it up when he was traded to OKC, but he led the team on an inspiring playoff run and he could be a great addition to the Bucks. There are other point guards that the Bucks could pursue, maybe Detroit Piston’s point guard Derrick Rose could be available in a trade. His minutes would have to be limited as a starter, but he would definitely provide what the Bucks were missing this year.
For now, the basketball world will concentrate on the remaining teams in the playoffs and the rise of the Miami Heat; but the offseason will be here quickly and so will the drama. In the meantime, Antetokounmpo will heal and then get back to work.