In new interview, Giannis Antetokounmpo says he wants to see championship-level commitment from Bucks before re-signing

Giannis Antetokounmpo once again reiterated his loyalty to one franchise — the Milwaukee Bucks — saying he wants to be like Kobe Bryant or Tim Duncan, but added that winning comes over everything and he doesn't want to remain in one city if it means only winning one championship.

In a new interview with the New York Times, Antetokounmpo said, "I don’t want to be 20 years on the same team and don’t win another championship."

Prior to signing a then-NBA record $228 million extension in 2020, it was reported by ESPN and The Athletic that Antetokounmpo stated his desire for the organization to continue pushing for a championship to re-sign. In a 2018 interview with Eurohoop TV he said, "Everyone has to work on his part in order to win a championship. If I do my part and some others don’t, then a change would have to happen. If this change does not happen, then, the Bucks can move forward without me, or I can move on without the Bucks. However, my goal is to stay here and win a championship with my team.”

Also in 2018, Antetokounmpo said, "As long as Milwaukee does the right moves and we're a championship (contending) team, I'm not going nowhere."

In the 2020 offseason, the Bucks signed a handful of players, like Bobby Portis, traded for point guard Jrue Holiday and forward P.J. Tucker and then won the 2020-21 title.

Over the last two years, in which the Bucks compiled a 109-55 regular season record and were the NBA's top seed last season, the Bucks have been a luxury-tax paying team. Unfortunately, playoff injuries to Khris Middleton two years ago, and Antetokounmpo last season, contributed to early exits, which ultimately led to the dismissal of head coach Mike Budenholzer on May 4.

The Times asked Antetokounmpo if he thought the organization is still committed to championship-level basketball following the recent coaching change. Antetokounmpo, who was part of the interview process in the search for the new coach, said he didn't want to sign an extension because he wants to see what happens with the culture under new head coach Adrian Griffin.

More: Why was Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo asked about playing in Saudi Arabia?

More: Adrian Griffin connecting with Giannis Antetokounmpo first step in reaching high standard

Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign a maximum extension beginning on Sept. 22, with the window to do so remaining open until Oct. 23. It was widely anticipated he would not sign the extension, though this is the first time he has addressed it publicly.

Since the creation of "supermax" contracts in 2017, no player of Antetokounmpo's age (28) or with multiple years left on his deal has ever signed an early extension. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap can rise a maximum of 10% every year. Antetokounmpo will be eligible for more money and more years in future extension windows.

"Next summer it would make more sense for both parties. Even then, I don't know," Antetokounmpo said. "I would not be the best version of myself if I don't know that everybody's on the same page, everybody's going for a championship, everybody's going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don't feel that, I'm not signing."

“You’ve got to see the dynamics,” he added. “How the coach is going to be, how we’re going to be together. At the end of the day, I feel like all my teammates know and the organization knows that I want to win a championship. As long as we’re on the same page with that and you show me and we go together to win a championship, I’m all for it. The moment I feel like, oh, yeah, we’re trying to rebuild —”

He paused briefly before reminiscing about all the achievements he's made in Milwaukee, including a NBA championship in 2021.

“There will never be hard feelings with the Milwaukee Bucks,” he said. “I believe that we’ve had 10 unbelievable years, and there’s no doubt I gave everything for the city of Milwaukee. Everything. Every single night, even when I’m hurt. I am a Milwaukee Buck. I bleed green. I know this.

“This is my team, and it’s going to forever be my team. I don’t forget people that were there for me and allowed me to be great and to showcase who I am to the world and gave me the platform. But we have to win another one.”

He then told the Times how he admired NBA legends who played with one team their entire careers, including Bryant, Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.

Antetokounmpo is entering his third season of a five-year, $228 million supermax extension. He is under contract for a base salary of $45.6 million and owed $48.7 million in 2024-25 before having to decide on a $51.9 million player option in 2025-26.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo wants NBA championship commitment from Bucks