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Stay with the Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo will probably extend by five years
Photo: Michael Dwyer / dpa
The Greek NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has extended his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on a long-term basis.
The 26-year-old announced this via Twitter.
According to US media reports, Antetokounmpo, who goes by the nickname "Greek Freak," will earn up to 228 million US dollars (around 187.5 million euros) in the next five years.
As the portal The Athletic reports, it is the biggest deal in NBA history.
“This is my home, this is my city.
I feel blessed to be part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next five years.
The show goes on, let's go, ”wrote Antetokounmpo.
The forward won the award as most valuable player (MVP) in the past two seasons and is considered the best basketball player in the world alongside superstar LeBron James.
Recently there had been speculation about his future, he would have had until December 21st to sign his contract extension.
Pens from the teammates
That's why his teammates gave him a pen for his 26th birthday on December 6th.
“At first I didn't understand,” Antetokounmpo had said, “Khris (Middleton, note) came in and gave me a pen and I asked myself: what is it?
But when I thought about it, I understood that it was meant for me to sign the contract.
I laughed at the first, and also at the second, but then I got around 20 pens and it got boring at some point. "
Had Antetokounmpo not signed, he could have changed teams next summer.
With him, the Bucks remain one of the biggest contenders for the title - also for the coming season, which starts on the night of December 23rd (CET).
In the past season, the Los Angeles Lakers had won the title around James.
Milwaukee had clearly failed with Antetokounmpo in the Conference semifinals due to Miami Heat, which had previously been considered an outsider and only failed in the finals at the Lakers.
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