Giannis Antetokounmpo has likely made the Bucks organisation nervous this summer with his comments about his future, but Bucks veteran Khris Middleton disagrees.
Giannis has made it clear that winning is his main focus and has threatened to not sign an extension if everyone isn’t on the same page.
Many would argue the Greek Freak’s attitude has changed, as his loyalty to the Bucks hasn’t wavered in his ten-year NBA career, until now.
But Middleton doesn’t see it that way.
“I think it’s kind of business as usual either way,” Middleton told ESPN. “It doesn’t affect me personally. I don’t think it affects us as a team. I think this is something he said almost every year he’s come up in contract extension talks.”
Three-time All-Star Middleton confirmed that of course the team wants Giannis back, but his remarks don’t put any added pressure on the team.
“We always want him back for sure. Let’s be for sure and let everyone know that. We want this guy to come back because he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s one of the best players in franchise history. So when he says things like that, I think he just wants to challenge the team, the organization, to keep putting us in position to win championships. …So there’s no pressure on, there’s no added pressure when he says that to us as a team, or me as a person, that I have to be better.”
Giannis’ comments have sent the rumor mill into overdrive and considering he is a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the game, expect the reports not to let up until he signs an extension or is traded.
Entering the upcoming 2023-24 season, Antetokounmpo is under contract for two more seasons before he has a $51.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season.