Giannis Antetokounmpo's Lucrative Contract: Bucks' Financial Commitment Amid Trade Rumors
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, is at the center of trade talks as he's locked into a lucrative three-year contract extension that runs through the 2027-28 season. The extension, signed in October 2023, makes him the Bucks' highest-paid player and one of the richest in the league. According to Basketball Reference, Giannis's salary for the 2025-26 season is estimated to be between $54-57 million, ranking him among the top earners in the NBA. His future salaries are equally impressive, projected to be around $62.2 million in 2026-27 and $66.8 million in 2027-28 if he exercises his player option. Across the next three seasons, Giannis is set to earn approximately $175-186 million under the current extension, accounting for over 35% of the Bucks' projected salary cap share for the 2025-26 campaign. This significant financial commitment severely restricts the team's cap flexibility, limiting their ability to make significant roster changes or salary-cap maneuvers. However, the 2027-28 season player option presents an attractive element, giving Giannis control over his decisions if he declines the option and becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Bucks have also guaranteed Giannis the full $228.2 million over five years plus a 15% trade kicker, should he be traded. Despite the off-court drama surrounding his contract, Giannis remains one of the NBA's most dominant forces, consistently posting MVP-calibre statistics in points, rebounds, and assists. However, the Bucks' recent seven-game losing streak, their worst since Giannis's rookie year, has raised concerns about the team's performance without their star player.
