Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks might be nearing its final chapter, as the Bucks find themselves down 0-2 against the Indiana Pacers after a tough 123-115 loss on Tuesday.
Now heading back home for Game 3, the Bucks are under massive pressure — not just to save their season, but possibly to save their future with the Greek Freak.
In a recent interview with Dan Patrick, Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes weighed in on the situation and didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I don’t think Giannis will finish his career in Milwaukee. I don’t think so,” Haynes said. “I can see them going in a different direction. I can see that possibility if things go sour this postseason.”
Haynes even called this playoff run “pivotal” for the Bucks, hinting at “wholesale changes” if Milwaukee gets bounced in the first round — something that would mark their third straight year falling short of the semifinals.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to carry the load, the Bucks are still waiting on Damian Lillard to fully bounce back after his recent scare with a blood clot — a major reason why the team looks out of sync. But patience is running thin, and time is ticking.
The cost to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo? Massive.
If Milwaukee wants to lock Giannis Antetokounmpo down long-term — and they better — they’ll need to find a way to cough up around $48 million per year for a potential three-year extension.
Sure, it’s a monster deal, but plenty of teams around the league are ready to break the bank for a shot at the two-time MVP. At just 30 years old, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still heading into the prime of his career, and adding him would instantly tilt the championship odds for any contender.
No doubt, the Bucks will throw everything they can at keeping their franchise star. But as we’ve seen with recent NBA blockbusters — from Luka Dončić’s surprising move to others — no player is truly untouchable, no matter how big their name.
The next few games won’t just determine Milwaukee’s season — they could decide the entire future of the franchise.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
