Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s extension a series of one-year deals?

Although Giannis Antetokounmpo signed an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, the team should treat the contract as a series of one-year deals.

There is a perception around the league that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be with the Milwaukee Bucks for the foreseeable future as he signed the max contract extension. Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report stated that Bucks fans could breathe easy as they wouldn’t have to worry about Antetokounmpo leaving next season.

The ramifications of the player empowerment movement on the league

But does the extension mean Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee long term? No, as players are starting to demand trades a year into their contract. For example, Chris Paul wanted out of Houston a year after he signed a four-year deal worth $159 million in 2018. Paul was unhappy that James Harden wasn’t amenable to making changes to the offensive system.

Houston ran an isolation-centric offense as they led the league in isolation possessions averaging 19 per game over two seasons. 69.5 percent of those possessions belonged to Harden as he averaged 13.2 per game. Paul felt that Harden’s style didn’t allow the rest of the team to be involved in the offense.

Paul wanted head coach Mike D’Antoni to run more sets and increase ball movement to get everyone involved in the offense. D’Antoni didn’t listen to Paul’s desire. Paul eventually got his wish as he was traded to the OKC Thunder along with two first-round picks and two pick swaps for  Russell Westbrook.

In that same offseason, Kawhi Leonard was trying to convince other free agents to join him on the LA Clippers. He attempted to convince Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving to team up with him, but they turned him down.

Consequently, Leonard started to have conversations with stars on other teams. He met with Paul George during the early days of 2019 free agency and convinced him to demand a trade.

Unfortunately, the Clippers had to give Oklahoma City a massive amount of assets to acquire George as he had re-signed with them in 2018 for three years and a player option on the fourth year. LA acquired George for Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five first-round picks.

How the player empowerment movement could affect Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks

Therefore, Milwaukee should look at Antetokounmpo’s extension as a series of one-year deals. For example, if the team has another disappointing second-round playoff exit, Antetokounmpo could realize that he can’t win in Milwaukee, leading to a trade request. Milwaukee can either ignore his request or trade him to the team with the best offer.

If Milwaukee chooses to ignore his request, he could go the Jimmy Butler route, where his camp leaks everything that is happening behind the scenes. Antetokounmpo would also pick and choose the games he wants to play during the season until the team trades him.

On the other hand, Milwaukee can adhere to his request and begin fielding trade offers. Milwaukee would get a big haul than what Oklahoma City got for George as Antetokounmpo is a significantly better player. The haul could set up Milwaukee for the next 10 to 15 years.

For instance, the Minnesota Timberwolves could offer D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, and four to six future first-round picks to acquire Antetokounmpo and pair him up with Karl-Anthony Towns. Milwaukee would get a player in Russell who can help them remain competitive in the East without Antetokounmpo.

They would also get the 2020 first overall pick Edwards who can be a franchise cornerstone for at least the next eight seasons. More importantly, Milwaukee could use the 4 to 6 future first-round picks to get players in the draft or via trade who complement Edwards’ skill set.

Although Antetokounmpo did sign a long term extension, the player empowerment movement in the league indicates Milwaukee should treat it as a series of one-year deals.