Giannis Antetokounmpo doubles down on Bucks' future despite Damian Lillard trade

Talks of Giannis Antetokounmpo jettisoning Milwaukee for greener pastures have drastically diminished since the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. Still, the two-time league MVP remains adamant that winning supersedes team loyalty. 

"I want to be like Tim Duncan, like Kobe, all those guys that played with one team for a lot of years and won the championship," Antetokounmpo told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. "But at the end of the day, before loyalty, winning comes first."

Antetokounmpo is currently under contract with the Bucks through the 2024-25 season with a player option in 2025-26. He became eligible for a three-year contract extension in September but told New York Times' Tania Ganguli in August that he wouldn't entertain signing an extension until next offseason. 

"The real question's not going to be this year — numbers-wise it doesn't make sense," said Antetokounmpo.

Lillard's arrival in Milwaukee undoubtedly strengthens the likelihood that Antetokounmpo eventually commits to the franchise long-term. Still, the latter is wise to slowly play any decision on an extension while he holds the cards.