Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s supermax signing

2. The delay created a competitive edge for the Milwaukee Bucks

Strange as it seems, the delay in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s eventual signing may have created a competitive edge for the Bucks. He signed his extension with just a week to go before the deadline, after the majority of this season’s free agents have been signed.

This meant that teams like the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, who had hopes of being able to recruit him in free agency next season, essentially ran it back this offseason rather than making big moves to bolster their rosters.

Of course, the Bucks had an error-riddled offseason themselves, and it’s hard to see in exactly what way they benefited from the additional time they gained through the delay. The Mavericks are in the opposite conference, and the Heat probably didn’t have any big moves at their disposal this offseason anyway. And if they do make a move, they’re most likely going to end up doing it via trade regardless, as is tradition.

Still, it’s never a bad thing to keep your opposition from freely finding ways to improve themselves, so we can give them some credit for at least accidentally benefiting, maybe.