Giannis Antetokounmpo clarifies comments on contract situation during Bucks' media day

With two seasons remaining on his contract and a player option for the 2025-26 season, the Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a three-year extension, which he's unable to sign until Oct. 23. However, ESPN's Bobby Marks recently broke down Antetokounmpo's contract and explained that the Bucks All-Star can make a lot more money from the extension if he waits until next offseason. 

Antetokounmpo alluded to this on Monday, saying bluntly, "Money is not important, a lot of f---ing money is important."

While maximizing how much he can earn is certainly key for Antetokounmpo, he added that he wants to be a Buck for the rest of [his] career, as long as [The Bucks] are winning" which should be exciting, rather than ominous for fans.

Still, there's been a narrative fueled by Antetokounmpo's comments, though, that his time in Milwaukee will be over sooner rather than later. But the Bucks clearly listened to their superstar, and with at least two seasons left on his deal, they made moves to prove to him why he's already in the best place to win.

The Bucks made a promising hire in first-year head coach Adrian Griffin, acquired role players and made a blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard who has a desire to win his first title to pair with Antetokounmpo.

The Greek Freak has been very open in saying that he wants to be in the place that gives him the best chance to win a title, no matter where that may be. His comments on Monday affirm what he has said in the past, that he wants Milwaukee to remain the best place for him to play and compete.

The Bucks have all of the pieces in place to gel with its established superstar with the goal of bringing a third title to the Cream City during Antetokounmpo's current deal. Should the Bucks accomplish that, Antetokounmpo's contract situation and future with the Bucks becomes a lot less murky.