Of course the Milwaukee Bucks will offer Giannis Antetokounmpo a five-year, $247 million supermax contract extension next summer. That message has been about as subtle as a Shaq commercial for Carnival Cruises.
Milwaukee GM Jon Horst’s mistake was actually saying publicly what everyone knows. Which he did recently at a team town hall.
"What is the situation with Giannis' long-term contract?"
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) September 13, 2019
Jon Horst answers: pic.twitter.com/a6O4uAaoIE
Here’s your money quote: “First of all, the answer for now is that we can’t talk and negotiate anything. So Giannis, basically, a year from now will be eligible for a supermax extension. At that time, of course, he will be offered a supermax extension.”
That statement earned the Bucks a $50,000 fine from the league for “violating league rules governing the timing of discussions regarding future player contracts and permissible commitments to players.” League rules prohibit teams from talking about a player’s next contract while he is still under his current one.
Antetokoumpo is under contract for two more seasons (at $53 million, total), although next summer he can be offered an extension. After winning the MVP last season, he is eligible for the “supermax,” giving him 35 percent of the Bucks salary cap space.
The Bucks will gladly pay it, with Antetokounmpo they are a serious title contender (and one of the top draws in the league).
The rest of the league is watching to see if Antetokounmpo will sign it. According to sources around the league I’ve spoken to, teams expect he will take the money and resign in Milwaukee. But there are few talents on the level of Antetokounmpo so teams will be watching just in case.
