Bucks ownership group sets six-week deadline to resolve Giannis Antetokounmpo contract status
Following a season-ending injury that limited the star to 36 games, the Milwaukee Bucks aim to secure assets or restructure the roster depending on the outcome of negotiations for a potential four-year extension.
Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly confirmed that the franchise intends to resolve the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo before the upcoming NBA draft. Speaking alongside general manager Jon Horst and new head coach Taylor Jenkins, Haslam indicated that a decision regarding a potential four-year, $275 million contract extension in October or a free agency departure must be made within the next six to seven weeks.
Haslam described the draft period as a natural time to determine the team's direction, noting that the ownership group, which includes himself, Wes Edens, Horst, and Jenkins, will make the final call. The statement comes after the team finished the season with a 32-50 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years largely due to Antetokounmpo playing only 36 games because of injury.
The franchise's approach depends heavily on the outcome of these negotiations. Haslam stated that if Antetokounmpo departs, the organisation must possess significant assets to acquire talent, a task Horst is tasked with managing. Conversely, if the star player remains, the team will build differently to ensure championship contention, aligning with the player's repeated preference for Milwaukee provided the franchise is committed to competing.
Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, holds virtually all of the franchise's major career records and led the team to its first championship in 50 years in 2021. While he has expressed a desire to stay, he has also emphasised the need for a roster capable of challenging for titles. The Bucks currently hold a first-round lottery pick, which would be available in their own spot or New Orleans' spot, whichever is less favourable.
New head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed tremendous excitement about the opportunity, noting he has established a good relationship with Antetokounmpo despite the player not being involved in the coaching search process this time. Jenkins, who previously coached the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019 to 2025, becomes the fourth head coach in the Bucks' history over the last five seasons, following Budenholzer, Adrian Griffin, and Doc Rivers.
The decision on whether Antetokounmpo signs a max contract or leaves will rest with the ownership and management team over the coming weeks. Haslam affirmed that communication with the player has been consistent and that the organisation understands the gravity of the call, promising to work through the situation to determine what is best for both the franchise and the star player.
