Giannis Thread - 2 Time MVP - The Contract discussions

[giannis and 1]

Based on Giannis' comments and everything we know about him, I get the sense that he REALLY BADLY wants to stay here for the entirety of his career, but is not 100% convinced that management and ownership are as committed to winning as he is, and are willing/have the ability to make the moves and do what it takes to become champions. In other words, he is not completely sure if he wins a championship with us if he stays.

If you look at it from his perspective, they were a mediocre team for the first 5 years of his career (despite him being a top 5 player in the last 2 of those years), they let one of their best players in Brogdon go, have made a lot of questionable trades and signings, have been unwilling to spend into the luxury tax up until now, and the best player they could get to play alongside him is Khris Middleton (who is worse than the 2nd best player on the last like....10 champion ship teams).

[mke_design]

Based on Giannis' comments and everything we know about him, I get the sense that he REALLY BADLY wants to stay here for the entirety of his career, but is not 100% convinced that management and ownership are as committed to winning as he is, and are willing/have the ability to make the moves and do what it takes to become champions. In other words, he is not completely sure if he wins a championship with us if he stays.

If you look at it from his perspective, they were a mediocre team for the first 5 years of his career (despite him being a top 5 player in the last 2 of those years), they let one of their best players in Brogdon go, have made a lot of questionable trades and signings, have been unwilling to spend into the luxury tax up until now, and the best player they could get to play alongside him is Khris Middleton (who is worse than the 2nd best player on the last like....10 champion ship teams).

That then contradicts his statement about always feeling encouraged by the Bucks organization? I am finding all of his interviews and statements to be vague and conflating and I don't know if that's by design or if he doesn't know what he can or can't say. All of that on top of a bit of a language barrier.

[agiaco]

I'm just curious what he means when he repeatedly says something along the lines of, "As long as we're on the same page and are competing for a championship". That could be as simple as going into the tax and bringing the team back, or it could be a pointed comment about upgrading the personnel across the board.

One thing I'm confident in at this point is the ownership group is going to do whatever Giannis dictates if it means he signs on the line.

I was thinking the same thing. What are all the options that would meet his qualifications? Their hands are kind of tied right now. On top of re-signing Giannis they have to bolster the roster in a way he approves. As mentioned over the last week or so, the best bet is to swing for the fences on a trade or two.

His comments regarding being on the same page, everyone working hard every day to win a championship...is there any indication some of the core guys on the team maybe don't work up to a Giannis standard? I know he says they're all his brothers but I wonder who Giannis would trade without hesitation to make the team better.

[greekbuck34]

His comments, the #throughthewall, the best agents and his only goal left the championship lead me to believe that he was convinced by his family and agents not to sign a contract this summer unless its a 1+1 if the roster is considerably improved. If this doesn't push the team to do something special this off season I don't know what does.

Get rid off Bledsoe, sign an elite point guard, some good shooters, and more athleticism instead of old and slow bodies.
Hard for Milwaukee but not impossible.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm just curious what he means when he repeatedly says something along the lines of, "As long as we're on the same page and are competing for a championship". That could be as simple as going into the tax and bringing the team back, or it could be a pointed comment about upgrading the personnel across the board.

One thing I'm confident in at this point is the ownership group is going to do whatever Giannis dictates if it means he signs on the line.

I was thinking the same thing. What are all the options that would meet his qualifications? Their hands are kind of tied right now. On top of re-signing Giannis they have to bolster the roster in a way he approves. As mentioned over the last week or so, the best bet is to swing for the fences on a trade or two.

His comments regarding being on the same page, everyone working hard every day to win a championship...is there any indication some of the core guys on the team maybe don't work up to a Giannis standard? I know he says they're all his brothers but I wonder who Giannis would trade without hesitation to make the team better.

I don't know if the work they put in isn't up to his standard, but the results certainly aren't. The strategy against Giannis is relatively simple at this point: throw four defenders at him on any given possession and make the other guys beat you. The entire team didn't hold up their end of the bargain.

[crkone]

Giannis saying he's got two great agents and they'll put him in a great situation, either with the Bucks or another team, doesn't sound awesome.

Bucks should have been really proactive and trade for a Superstar since he signed that 100M / 4y contract ... unfortunately the only player they have to show is a massive overpaid Khris who was already here.

So I guess in the meeting Giannis promised he will give his heart and soul next season, once more and the Bucks Org is basically on a one year test - show me status

You saying Middleton was a massive overpay is just further confirmation that I made a swell choice putting you on ignore a long time ago.

[Cooleyo47]

It won't be a good look if he bails.

[giannis and 1]

Based on Giannis' comments and everything we know about him, I get the sense that he REALLY BADLY wants to stay here for the entirety of his career, but is not 100% convinced that management and ownership are as committed to winning as he is, and are willing/have the ability to make the moves and do what it takes to become champions. In other words, he is not completely sure if he wins a championship with us if he stays.

If you look at it from his perspective, they were a mediocre team for the first 5 years of his career (despite him being a top 5 player in the last 2 of those years), they let one of their best players in Brogdon go, have made a lot of questionable trades and signings, have been unwilling to spend into the luxury tax up until now, and the best player they could get to play alongside him is Khris Middleton (who is worse than the 2nd best player on the last like....10 champion ship teams).

That then contradicts his statement about always feeling encouraged by the Bucks organization? I am finding all of his interviews and statements to be vague and conflating and I don't know if that's by design or if he doesn't know what he can or can't say. All of that on top of a bit of a language barrier.

I don't think he thinks lowly of the organization or anything. He thinks positively of them (they have made good moves) but is a little skeptical and is trying to put pressure on them to be better. And he's trying to be 100% positive publicly.

[Perishable517]

There was a time when we would’ve all absolutely lost our **** if Andrew Bogut made ONE all star team.

Right?!?

Sure, I'm disappointed in how the season ended but man, this is becoming a fun ride with Giannis and the Bucks.

Sent from my HTC U11 using RealGM mobile app

[machu46]

Giannis on Bud:

Read on Twitter

For those that can't watch, he basically said that Bud does a great job of putting everyone in a position to succeed, particularly helping the role players. Says he loves Bud and can't wait to get back to work with him and the team next year.

[Cooleyo47]

The fact that Giannis has to resist outside pressure and be an exception to stay is sad. There's a handful of teams at any given time that can reasonably expect to acquire or keep superstar players. The NBA has a problem.

There's no speculation about where Lamar Jackson is going to go.

[Fotis St]

Giannis saying he's got two great agents and they'll put him in a great situation, either with the Bucks or another team, doesn't sound awesome.

Bucks should have been really proactive and trade for a Superstar since he signed that 100M / 4y contract ... unfortunately the only player they have to show is a massive overpaid Khris who was already here.

So I guess in the meeting Giannis promised he will give his heart and soul next season, once more and the Bucks Org is basically on a one year test - show me status

You saying Middleton was a massive overpay is just further confirmation that I made a swell choice putting you on ignore a long time ago.

Yes , Khris is massively overpaid some here admit it ... he is paid like a SuperStar Top tier player and he isn't that, and Idc about your ignore list, nobody asked you

[vegaspacker]

This is similar to the Favre-esque complex we had to deal with in the late 90's.

What a devastating time to re-live.... Again.

Giannis does seem like a cat who wears emotional sleeves with honor. Emotions change faster than the wind.

We have a minimal amount assets and cap space to manipulate this roster. Horst did a pretty fine job of putting together a solid looking squad on paper. He has is work cut out for him.

Hopefully Bud has an epiphany, he needs one in the worst way. Rigidity and complacency is no longer an option in the playoffs.

[AussieBuck]

Still too bummed to appreciate this appropriately. An all time great regular season. Love you Giannis.

[mke_design]

His comments, the #throughthewall, the best agents and his only goal left the championship lead me to believe that he was convinced by his family and agents not to sign a contract this summer unless its a 1+1 if the roster is considerably improved. If this doesn't push the team to do something special this off season I don't know what does.

Get rid off Bledsoe, sign an elite point guard, some good shooters, and more athleticism instead of old and slow bodies.
Hard for Milwaukee but not impossible.

But his comments and #throughthewall directly contradict his family and agents wishes you're speculating about. My point is that he is continuing to be contradictory either due to a language barrier, a barrier of what hes allowed to talk about, or generally not trying to get into the business side of it. I don't know what to make of any of it.

[ANTETOKOUNBROS]

I feel like if Giannis didn't win all these MVPs, he would be more inclined to stay his entire career. I feel like he will now feel the pressure to defend his legacy as an MVP who also wins titles and that will take precedence over his loyalty to staying with the Bucks forever.

The ironic thing is the last best number 34 we had also wanted to stay his entire career with the Bucks until we betrayed him and sent him away in his prime for an old glove.

[FlagsFlyForever]

Still too bummed to appreciate this appropriately. An all time great regular season. Love you Giannis.

If MVP isn't going to factor in playoff performance, then the NBA needs to announce the winners before the playoffs.

[AussieBuck]

Still too bummed to appreciate this appropriately. An all time great regular season. Love you Giannis.

If MVP isn't going to factor in playoff performance, then the NBA needs to announce the winners before the playoffs.

like it used to. Such a **** stupid move.

[jakecronus8]

Don’t know how to post videos here but, my thoughts

Read on Twitter

[theFireBlanket]

Jordan's DPOY/MVP season came a few before winning a championship. Something to consider if you're Giannis, the arguable GOAT had to struggle awhile before winning. His legacy won't be tarnished because of an uphill battle. That's just hype beasts lining their own pockets through day to day speculation & reporting.

Like Jalen Rose has said, when discussing Giannis decision, ... Kevin Durant wasn't truly happy after he won in GS. It's more satisfying to work past that wall than to seek a cakewalk.

Kawhi jumped ship to LAC for the chance to play with PG & in his hometown. Now like Giannis, he's not in the Conference Finals. With Toronto, he's likely playing against Miami.

Michael if he had left Chicago for Detroit, NYC, Los Angeles. He'd never be the legend or person that he is today.