The Milwaukee Bucks’ postseason run came to a stunning halt far sooner than anyone expected. Giannis Antetokounmpo wants the team’s fans to know there’s always next year, and he appreciates their support.
The Bucks were pretty easily dispatched by the Miami Heat in only five games in the teams’ Eastern Conference semifinals showdown that ended with an elimination loss last week. It was a shocking and demoralizing turn of events for a team with championship aspirations, to say the least.
Antetokounmpo, however, took to Twitter late Tuesday night to thank Bucks fans for all their support during a season that was stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic in March only to resume amid the unprecedented circumstances of playing in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, Fla.
The Bucks are poised to embark upon a critical offseason, and the most pressing issue of course surrounds Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future with the organization.
The reigning NBA MVP is set to hit free agency following the 2020-21 season, and there has been an abundance of speculation about what comes next in his career.
Despite the conjecture the star could be headed elsewhere, there have been encouraging signs that Antetokounmpo will remain loyal to the team that took him with the No. 15 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
The superstar met with Bucks co-owner/governor Marc Lasry last Friday to discuss the team’s plans, during which it was relayed to Antetokounmpo that the team is willing to spend into the luxury tax to construct a more formidable roster around the star.
All that said, Bucks fans certainly will hold their collective breath until the precise moment Giannis actually puts pen to paper on a potential super-max extension projected to be worth $254 million over five years.
While it remains to be seen how things will play out once the Bucks make that offer, Giannis’ shout-out presumably was welcomed by the team’s fans in the interim as at least an encouraging sign.
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