Giannis Antetokounmpo signs five-year supermax extension with Milwaukee Bucks worth $228.1m in richest deal in NBA history

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to the largest contract in NBA history, which will tie him to the team through to the 2025-26 season. 

Despite an off-season which saw the Bucks bring in Jrue Holiday, they had enough money left in the bank to sign the ‘Greek Freak’ to a contract worth a whopping $228.1 million (£168.5m) over five years.  

The huge deal catapults Antetokounmpo atop the list of the NBA’s highest-paid players, surpassing Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook ($206.8m/£152.7m). 

The two-time MVP had been rumoured to be on his way out of Wisconsin, with strong links to joining Jimmy Butler in South Beach, after the Bucks’ loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals saw them crash out of the NBA play-offs last season. 

Antetokounmpo had also recently turned down a contract offer from the Bucks, garnering further suspicion from fans and media that he was interested in a fresh start elsewhere. 

However, the pairing of Antetokounmpo with newcomer Jrue Holiday – as well as the Bucks promising 2019-20 season which saw them finish first in the Eastern conference – appears to have been enough for his hopes of a championship to be restored. 

After the deal was announced, the Bucks forward took to Twitter, saying: ‘This is my home, this is my city. I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.’

Giannis will play the 2020/21 season under his former contract and is set to make $27m (£19.9m) this year. 

While some are speculating that this was perhaps not the wisest decision for the 26-year-old, the potential, and the financial benefit, is undeniable.  

As for the Bucks, the organisation will be glad to retain the two-time MVP, reigning defensive player of the year, and four time All-Star – as well as avoiding losing the big-man to free agency next off-season. 

The franchise owners issued a statement of their own, saying: ‘We thank Giannis and his family for their long-term commitment to Milwaukee and we look forward to many years of success. This is a momentous day for the Bucks, our fans and the state of Wisconsin.’

But while the Holiday signing appeared promising enough to entice Giannis to stay, only time will tell if the duo will indeed take the Bucks to the finals for the first time since 1974.  

By Kit McIntosh