Fansided

10 eventual free agents who could change the shape of the NBA

By Bryan Toporek

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks waits for a free throw during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks waits for a free throw during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021)

The Milwaukee Bucks are certain to offer Giannis Antetkounmpo a five-year supermax extension this offseason that could be worth more than $200 million.

If Antetokounmpo declines to sign said extension, all bets are off about his future.

The entire league has been lusting after Antetokounmpo’s potential foray into free agency for years, and for good reason. The reigning MVP guided the Bucks to 60 wins and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season, and they were on a 70-win pace for much of this year.

Despite playing nearly two fewer minutes per game this season compared to last, Antetokounmpo is averaging career highs in points (29.6), rebounds (13.7), free-throw attempts (10.0) and 3-pointers (1.5). He’s a one-man wrecking crew who’s capable of putting up some of the most unfathomable stat lines in NBA history.

After the Bucks lost to Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors in last year’s playoffs, ESPN’s Malika Andrews reported “a source close to Antetokounmpo said that getting to the NBA Finals is not just an ambition; it could tip the scales as he weighs his contractual future.” The Bucks appeared poised to steamroll their way to the Finals before the pandemic-induced hiatus, but it’s unclear how the long layoff — and/or the possibility of a unique playoff format — might affect them.

If Antetokounmpo does eventually decide to leave the Bucks, he’ll create a free-agent feeding frenzy the likes of which we haven’t seen since LeBron James’ prime.

All statistics via Basketball-Reference or NBA.com unless otherwise noted. All contract information via Spotrac.

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