Bucks Zone

Richard Jefferson believes the Milwaukee Bucks are on the clock after Giannis Antetokounmpo's declaration

RJ believes there is a solution to this situation.

Matthew Dugandzic

© © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
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The pressure is on for the Milwaukee Bucks to perform well this coming season and avoid the risk of having the franchise's biggest superstar leave town. After Giannis Antetokounmpo declared his intention to potentially explore free agency if the Bucks don't show a full-blown commitment to winning in the next two years, former Bucks forward Richard Jefferson expressed his belief that it's time for the team to step up.

Win a championship

Jefferson, who played for the Bucks in the 2008-2009 season and averaged nearly 20 points per game, believes it's championship-or-bust time for the Bucks.

"[Bucks can retain Giannis] If they win a Championship in the next two years, if they don't, I think he's gone," Jefferson said during his appearance on the "Road Trippin'" podcast along with former NBA big man Channing Frye.

After a shocking first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs earlier this year, the Bucks have made some changes to their roster, replacing Mike Budenholzer with first-time head coach Adrian Griffin. They also re-signed Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder and brought in sharpshooter Malik Beasley. It remains to be seen if this core group of players will be enough to get the Bucks over the hump and win another NBA championship.

Much at stake

With Giannis' recent statement reverberating throughout the NBA, the Bucks must do whatever it takes to surround him with a championship-caliber roster. The Bucks still have time, but it is imperative they make the most out of it to give Giannis the assurance he needs.

"I don't think the Bucks are back at the drawing board. I think they changed their coach, I think they got two years. If they win a championship I think he will stay, if they do not, I think he will have an opportunity to move on," Jefferson added.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.