Giannis Antetokounmpo's contract extension is considered to be one of the season's most compelling storylines

Giannis' contract saga will no doubt permeate into the Bucks' season.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Although Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is signed on to play for the team until 2025, the franchise was recently put on notice when he announced that he would consider playing somewhere else if the team didn’t make enough of a commitment to winning NBA championships. The Athletic’s Sam Amick wrote that this cloud hanging over the franchise’s head will be one to keep an eye on during the upcoming season.

All about results

The Bucks have made some worthwhile moves in the offseason, re-signing key cogs Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to new contracts and role players such as Malik Beasley and Jae Crowder. However, as formidable as the Bucks look on paper, Giannis apparently won’t be happy unless the team can convert that potential into another NBA title.

“If you somehow missed it, the two-time MVP, one-time champion made it clear that he’d be willing to go elsewhere to win a title again if he didn’t believe the Bucks were doing everything possible to reach that goal,” Amick wrote, referring to a tell-all interview Giannis granted the New York Times.

“The Bucks’ results in this coming season, more than anything, will likely dictate what comes next here,” Amick added.

Giannis to the NY Times on extending with the Bucks: "Not going to be this year…Even [next year] I don't know…if I don't know that everybody's on the same page…going for a championship…sacrifice time away from their family like I do…I'm not signing…" https://t.co/yiHIlQ5E1j pic.twitter.com/THB2YAf9ch

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 24, 2023

Biggest story of the summer

As the old adage states, winning cures all ills. Despite the Bucks’ impressive offseason, it appears that Giannis won't be content with anything less than a championship banner to hang in the rafters of Fiserv Forum. Whether or not he and the Bucks can make history remains to be seen. Regardless, this is sure to be one of the biggest storylines heading into next season.

“If Giannis & Co. win it all again, this time with first-year coach Adrian Griffin running the show, then his probing questions about the organization’s dedication to being the best will have been answered emphatically yet again. The re-signings of Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez will have been worth it, along with the additions of Malik Beasley, Robin Lopez, and the like,” Amick stated.

“If they fall short just a few months before he can sign a massive new extension, then this will be the biggest story of the summer.”

Giannis, the future Laker? @keyshawn says yes 👀

"When we want big stars, we get them. He can be part of the 19th, 20th title and there on!" pic.twitter.com/Arguwy20YO

— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) August 30, 2023