Giannis speaks on $186 million Bucks’ contract extension

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo spent much of the summer detailing why signing an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks would not make sense for him this year. On Tuesday, he pivoted — big time.

According to ESPN, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have agreed to a three-year, $186 million max contract extension. The move keeps the two-time NBA MVP under contract with the Bucks through the 2026-27 season.

With extension talks now in the rearview mirror, Antetokounmpo can return to focusing on his quest to bring another Larry O'Brien Trophy to Milwaukee.

"I knew in my heart that I wanted to stay," Antetokounmpo said after practice on Tuesday. "I don't want people when we lose a game to come back and say, 'Oh, Giannis is being irritated, he doesn't like what's going on, this, that, he's going to leave, blah, blah, blah.' No. The conversation right now is going to be straight basketball."

While removing distractions is a warranted reason for Antetokounmpo signing the extension, the acquisition of Damian Lillard certainly helps.

"I'm a winner. I want to win," Antetokounmpo said during a September 12 appearance on the "48 Minutes" podcast. "And I have to do whatever it takes for me to win. And if there's a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien, I have to take that better situation." 

Less than a month after Antetokounmpo's comments, the Bucks struck a deal for Lillard, solidifying their commitment to winning and Antetokounmpo alike.

Winners of 51-plus games in back-to-back seasons, the Bucks have catapulted to Eastern Conference favorites amid Lillard's arrival. Fitting the mold of the NBA's most vaunted duo, Lillard (32.2) and Antetokounmpo (31.1) each averaged 30-plus points per game a season ago.