Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo plans to stay in Milwaukee “for now.”
The two-time MVP, in an interview with GQ, reflected on bringing the franchise its first championship in 50 years, and seemed to hint at a future Bucks exit.
“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did. It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here,” Antetokounmpo said.
“Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us — for now. In two years, that might change. I’m being totally honest with you. I’m always honest,” he said, reiterating his love for the city and community that ” I want to help as much as possible.”
Antetokounmpo’s agent Alex Saratsis clarified his client’s comments.
“I don’t think it’s, ‘I’m thinking about leaving the Bucks.’ But I think he’s genuinely like: ‘Okay, I have reached the pinnacle. The next challenge is, let’s repeat,’” Saratsis said.
“But what happens if you do repeat? What’s the next challenge? What is that next barrier? When you think about it from a basketball perspective, by the age of 26, this kid has accomplished everything. So sometimes you’re going to have to manufacture what those challenges are.”
Antetokounmpo signed a five-year extension with the Bucks last December worth $228.2 million, at the time ending drama about whether he’d be with the team long-term. He secured the largest extension in league history before leading Milwaukee to a championship in June — when he was crowned Finals MVP after beating Phoenix in six games.
Before he committed to return to Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo said players around the league were trying to lure him into free agency.
“Everybody was texting me: ‘Leave the team,’” he said, noting that some players haven’t talked to him since he signed the extension. “It’s human. I will say I want to play with the best players; I wish [Kevin Durant] was on my team, not against me. I wish LeBron [James] was on my team, not against me. Steph [Curry], on my team.
“I chose to stay here even with all the pressure because it’s easier to leave. That’s the easy thing to do. It’s easy to leave.”
The Bucks (6-8) host the Lakers (8-7) on Wednesday.