Bucks co-owner Haslam wants Giannis decision before NBA draft
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Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday he hopes to resolve Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term status “over the next six or seven weeks,” ideally before the NBA draft in June.
Speaking alongside general manager Jon Horst at Fiserv Forum during the introductory news conference for new head coach Taylor Jenkins, Haslam called the draft a “natural time” for clarity. “If Giannis does play somewhere else, we’ve got to have a lot of assets,” he said. “And if he’s here, then you build the team differently.”
Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent all 13 NBA seasons in Milwaukee and led the franchise to its first championship in 50 years in 2021. After an injury-hampered campaign limited him to a career-low 36 games, the Bucks finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
The two-time MVP is eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension in October. If he declines, he can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. Haslam said the Bucks and Antetokounmpo have communicated directly since the season ended and that ownership, Horst and Jenkins will collectively decide whether to offer the maximum deal or explore alternatives.
Milwaukee will pick in the draft lottery—either in its own slot or New Orleans’ less favorable position—when the drawing takes place Sunday.
Jenkins, 41, returns to Milwaukee after six seasons as Memphis Grizzlies head coach, where he went 250-214 and reached the postseason three times. He previously worked as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer when Antetokounmpo won his first MVP award in 2018-19. Jenkins said Antetokounmpo has already expressed “tremendous excitement” about his hiring.
The Bucks will be on their fourth head coach in five seasons. Budenholzer was dismissed after the 2023 playoffs, Adrian Griffin was fired midway through the 2024-25 season despite a 30-13 record, and Doc Rivers stepped down after posting a combined 97-103 mark.
Haslam, who also co-owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, praised Antetokounmpo’s impact on the franchise. “He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization,” he said.
Source: ESPN
