Throughout the Summer, all eyes have been on Giannis Antetokounmpo as his future with the Milwaukee Bucks hangs in the balance.
While many fans speculated that Antetokounmpo could demand a trade out of Milwaukee, any such request has yet to come, and with the 2025-26 NBA season just around the corner, it seems the Greek Freak will remain with the Bucks for at least another year.
After that, though, all bets are off, and one NBA analyst says there is a deadline coming up that will truly decide where Antetokounmpo's next chapter will be.
Zach Lowe Pinpoints When Giannis Will Make His Decision
Zach Lowe, host of the Ringer's Zach Lowe Show, revealed on his podcast last week that the two-time MVP's future will be decided next Summer, when Antetokounmpo becomes extension eligible.
"I wouldn't just sort of put this one to bed. Next offseason is really shaping up to be an interesting one, because next offseason is when Giannis becomes extension-eligible." Lowe said. "And it's like four years, $300 million, some crazy number, I can't remember what it is. And that's the line in the sand. He either signs that or he doesn't, and then '26-'27 is the last guaranteed year on his contract, he has a player option after that for $63 million. Holy smokes these salaries are getting high."
Lowe says whether Antetokounmpo signs an extension with the Bucks, or chooses to play out his current deal, will be the biggest indication of where his mind his at regarding his future in Milwaukee.
If the 2021 Finals MVP wants to stay with the team that drafted him, he will most certainly sign an extension and play out the rest of his career with the Bucks.
Otherwise, he would decline to negotiate and either play out the final year of his deal or force Milwaukee to trade him with the threat that he will opt out and hit the market as an unrestricted free agent.
Either way, the Bucks will be under Antetokounmpo's thumb, and the rest of the NBA will be watching to see if they have a shot at landing one of the current five best basketball players in the world.