Bucks owner: Giannis' future should be resolved before NBA draft
Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam says he expects a decision on whether to trade or re-sign 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo before June 23 draft.
The uncertainty surrounding two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo 's future in Milwaukee should be resolved within the next month. At an introductory news conference Wednesday for new head coach Taylor Jenkins, Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the issue hanging over the franchise's head this offseason: Trade the 10-time All-Star or try to re-sign him to a new deal? "I just think before the draft is a natural time," Haslam told reporters .
"Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's (GM Jon Horst) job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently.
" The Bucks are guaranteed to have a top-14 pick in the June 23 draft, with the exact spot to be determined by Sunday's draft lottery . Antetokounmpo has expressed a desire to remain in Milwaukee, even though he could become a free agent next summer. However, he's stated his preference is to play for a team that's committed to winning a title.
That doesn't describe the Bucks last season, who went 32-50 as their star forward battled injuries and frustration with his playing time. The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million contract extension in October. However, if he doesn't sign, free agency looms at the end of the season.