The future of Giannis Antedogounbo in the minds of Milwaukee Bucks’ Chris Middleton and coach Mike Budenholzer

One of the NBA’s biggest off-season questions still lingers: Will Giannis Antetoga ounpo Do you agree to a five-year Supermax extension to stay in Milwaukee?

His current head coach though Mike Budenholzer And team player Chris Middleton There may be no answers, they let them know their motives.

“I have a lot of respect for Giannis. In my situation last year, he told me how he felt and I can do it instead,” Middleton said. “I think we’re more than friends at the moment, we’re spent eight years together. We ‘re together, so at the end of the day, I want to do the best for him and his family.

“He knows I really want him to sign back on this extension, but at the same time, I know he’s got a big decision to work from home for himself and his family because they are the most important people,” he continued. “Whatever he does, he knows I will fully support him, so I talked to him. I will give him my two coins and my opinion or try to convince him, but at the end of the day, I will say ‘I always love him and appreciate what he has to do.”

Antedoc ounpo has until December 21 to sign the five-year, 8 228 million Supermax extension. The winner of MVP and Defender of the Year next summer may also sign a similar contract. But if he wants to leave Milwaukee, the maximum deal he can get is $ 145 million over four years, a difference of $ 83 million.

He returned to Milwaukee from Greece this week as Bucks prepared to enter training camp. Even when he returned to his homeland, there was frequent contact between him and the organization.

“Conversations with Giannis are great this summer. He will support us incredibly. We are trying to make this team better, and we are the same to support him,” Budenholzer said. “It was a great decision. I think the relationship between him and me was very good, very fruitful and fruitful. [general manager] John [Horst]So, we feel good about contact with Giannis throughout the summer and office. “

After recording the highest single-season player performance rating of all time (31.86), Antedo oun Bo enters the premier of his career. He scored 29.5 points and 13.6 reps in just 30.4 minutes per game. Milwaukee also finished with the best regular season record for the second year in a row, but lost the final goal, which reached the final.

However, Budenholzer will not classify this season as a championship or bust condition for the Bucks.

“We have always embraced, we feel like we have a list, we feel like we have incredibly talented players on both ends of the court, we are the last team,” Butenholzer said. “But every team has a process to go there. I think the goal is real, the opportunity is real, but if you’re an organization or a team that does not embrace it, you’ll probably be in the wrong business, but at the same time, be sure to think of a season championship or bust. That’s not the way we approach it. We really embrace competition, we embrace playoffs, we embrace opportunity and we want to be the last team, but I think that phrase does not resonate with me or our team or organization. “

Given the time to think about not translating regular seasonal success into postseason, Middleton is not ashamed to express disappointment at the end. Milwaukee hopes to return to a better team by adding an all-star once in a while Jur holiday Plus DJ Augustine, Brian Forbes, Dorey Craig And re-signing Pat Connaughton.

“Find a way to turn regular season success into post-season success. Find a way to do it. Like I said, this was a disappointing season the way we went out last year,” Middleton said. “I think it will always be when you do not win, you do not stand last team, but you have to find a way. We are a great team. We have added a lot of good pieces to help us improve and achieve that goal. I’m excited for the season.

Middleton added: “Especially in the last two years there has always been a sense of urgency to win. We know we are in a better position. We have a great opportunity ahead of us after losing a couple of opportunities behind us, so we need to make the most of this time because we can. The window is not as big or open as it used to be. It’s not that easy. You should use those years as much as you can. “