Giannis Antetokounmpo dances around $305 million question hanging over NBA

The Milwaukee Bucks are sweating on a decision from Giannis Antetokounmpo which could alter the entire landscape of the NBA.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo did nothing Wednesday to quell speculation that he could alter the entire landscape of the NBA next year.

Antetokounmpo, 26, has until December 21st to sign a supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, which would be a five-year, AU$305 million contract. If he remains unsigned when the deadline passes, it will be a sign he wants to test 2021 free agency.

“I’m not focused on that,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “I know my agent Alex (Saratsis) and (Bucks GM) Jon Horst and the Bucks ownership are focusing on those discussions, but I’m just trying to focus on myself. How I can get better, how I can help my teammates get better, how can we be ready Saturday to play our first pre-season game.”

Antetokounmpo admitted choosing where he wants to play for the next several years is “one of the big decisions that I’m gonna make.”

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His teammates gave him pens for his 26th birthday on Sunday, trying to coerce Antetokounmpo into re-signing with the Bucks — who had an NBA-best 56 wins last season before falling in five games to the Miami Heat in the second round of the Orlando bubble playoffs.

“I think about everything,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think about Milwaukee. I think about my teammates. I think about my family. I think about what’s the best decision for me, but that’s pretty much it. Then after that I realise that I’ve got so far because I’ve focused on how I can improve every single day.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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The Bucks made efforts to improve their roster and give Antetokounmpo more incentive to re-sign, trading for Jrue Holiday and signing the likes of D.J. Augustin, ex-Knick Bobby Portis and Bryn Forbes.

However, it appears nothing is going to change how Antetokounmpo approaches a decision that will have a massive impact throughout the league.

“I’m not trying to speed up the process, I’m not trying to be involved in that,” Antetokounmpo said. “Obviously, it’s something that stresses every player out and it’s on my mind, but it’s not on my mind. I try to put it out of my mind.”

This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Giannis Antetokounmpo dances around $305 million question hanging over NBA