We want a maximum salary of 390 million and a championship, but also dignity and respect! Is Antetokounmpo’s approach appropriate?

The NBA preseason has come to an end. After a few days of rest, the new regular season will begin. Judging from the performance of each team in the preseason, some are happy and some are sad. Surprisingly, the Clippers, Rockets, Spurs and other teams are all in good overall shape, and there are no shortcomings in the lineup. Surprising teams include the Cavaliers, Lakers, Warriors, etc., which are also popular teams. If the Lakers marginalize James, who has a salary of US$52.6 million in the new season, the team will not be competitive. Butler's attendance for the Warriors must be the biggest hidden danger, which may be more serious than the aging of the team and the lack of height in the lineup. On the surface, Kuminga hindered the team's three-month operation time. Essentially, Butler's contract was too big. There is another team that was delayed even longer by the team boss.

is the stag. The Bucks performed well overall in the preseason, with 3 wins and 1 loss. They defeated the Heat + Pistons + Bulls in a row, and lost to the defending champion Thunder by only 4 points in the final game. As the team's boss, Antetokounmpo has played two games and averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. It's no problem to practice in the preseason, but he seems to want to put pressure on the team by controlling public opinion and media. Take the latest "NBA Radio" program as an example. When Antetokounmpo was asked about staying with the Bucks for a long time, his response was disappointing: From the first day I entered the NBA, I hoped to play for a team for 20 years, like Duncan and Kobe. But at the end of the day my competitive spirit is the most important thing, I want to win, I don't want to stay in my comfort zone if the team is not competitive.

Antetokounmpo finally emphasized: I have played in Milwaukee for 13 years, and this is my comfort zone. But I have to try to get out of my comfort zone, I know it will be better. In the words of the Milwaukee media, it seems difficult for Antetokounmpo to keep himself in the team, and he is increasingly determined to leave. Incomplete statistics show that from the beginning of the offseason in July, to interviews with the media in the new season training camp, to Antetokounmpo's remarks in the preseason, he actively emphasized at least 4 times that he wanted to win and win the championship, and the Bucks were not competitive (at the championship level). First of all, Antetokounmpo has three years left with a salary of 175 million. He can renew his contract with the Bucks in advance next summer, with a maximum of 275 million in four years. The first year of the contract will cover the original player options.

If he leaves the Bucks, he only needs to wait another half a year, and he can still get 275 million. The salary for the new season is 54.13 million, and the salary for the 26-27 season is 58.46 million, plus 275 million. Regardless of whether he leaves or not, he will lock in 390 million in the next six years. There is no doubt about this. But Giannis Antetokounmpo has repeatedly expressed his attitude towards leaving the team, but has not taken the initiative to formally apply to the Bucks management to leave the team. What is the purpose of hiding it? Including Antetokounmpo's team facilitating negotiations between the Knicks and the Bucks during the offseason, but the Bucks really don't want to let Antetokounmpo go. In the words of the Milwaukee media, Antetokounmpo is known for his loyalty, so he will not speak first, but wait for the Bucks management to realize that the team does not have the strength to compete for the championship, and then let Antetokounmpo go where he wants to go.

Antetokounmpo really wants everything! Putting the super maximum salary and the championship aside, Antetokounmpo wants to leave with dignity and the respect of the Bucks from the management to the team, including fans and media, because he does not want to be the first to speak. As a commercial team, what do the Bucks management want? Let me give you two examples. First, in order to operate in the offseason, the Bucks continuously waived and bought out Micic + Livingston Jr. + Lillard + Taylor Smith, resulting in 25.47 million in dead money on their books for the new season! Aren't they just trying to help Antetokounmpo bring in some powerful players, such as Turner? Secondly, in order to make Antetokounmpo happy in the team, the Bucks signed the second brother Thanasis with a basic salary of 2.87 million per year.

Also signed Antetokounmpo's fifth brother Alex, who is almost out of the game, to a two-way contract of US$580,000. The Bucks management has truly achieved "As long as Antetokounmpo is happy, we can do anything"! General manager Horst flew to Greece to interview Antetokounmpo, fearing that he would take the initiative to leave. His management status was really humble to the ground! But what's in exchange? Not to mention that the second brother and fifth brother still have contracts with the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will receive a super maximum salary of US$54.13 million from the Bucks in the new season! Let me change an example and everyone will understand. If Curry or James say the same thing as Antetokounmpo at this stage, what will be the result? That must be a shock to the entire league. I don’t say whether the remarks are appropriate, but they will indeed make people feel a little chilled.

In the past seven years, Antetokounmpo has always been a super giant in the top three levels of the league, and he did help the Bucks win the championship. But don't forget that during this process, the Bucks traded Holiday and Lillard in order to help Antetokounmpo strengthen their lineup, which really depleted the team's financial foundation. They will still owe a lot of debt in the future and have no capital to rebuild at all. Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to force the management to trade him again and again. Is this appropriate? Let's lead the team to the top four in the Eastern Conference first and then talk about it. Sometimes the team fails again and again in the playoffs. Think about whether it is your own problem. But there is one thing. What Antetokounmpo did was indeed a bit too much.