By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Committing once more to the Milwaukee Bucks and hinting toward playing his entire NBA career in the Wisconsin organization shaped the immediate impact of Giannis Antetokounmpo penning a contract extension.
The Freak talking with his older brother and Bucks teammate Thanasis Antetokounmpo led to his decision. “I had a conversation with my family, aka GM, that it would make more sense for me to sign,” he revealed after Tuesday’s practice, “I don’t remember what he told me, but that was the smartest thing to do, so I just kind of trust his thinking.”
Thanasis was the reference. Giannis later clarified as much by calling him ‘GM TA’. “I trust Thanasis to death. We have not been separated since I was born. He is always there, looks out for me, has my back in so many ways. It was a judgment that I trust,” he explained.
The 2021 NBA champion is eligible to sign another contract extension with the Bucks in 2026 and a four-year contract extension in 2028.
“I knew in my heart that I wanted to stay,” he further commented, “I don’t want people when we lose a game to come back and say, ‘Oh, Giannis is being irritated, he doesn’t like what’s going on, this, that, he’s going to leave, blah, blah, blah.’ No. The conversation right now is going to be straight basketball.”
From the new contract to the opening game of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. The Milwaukee Bucks will welcome the Philadelphia 76ers in the Fiserv Forum on Thursday.