When the Milwaukee Bucks brought in Damian Lillard this summer via a blockbuster trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, it was a clear indication that the team wanted to win now. This was the exact message Giannis Antetokounmpo gave them when he threatened to leave Milwaukee, and the front office heeded their superstar’s call.
At the same time, however, the Bucks also know that bringing in a 33-year-old Dame Lillard also means that they only have a limited time to achieve their lofty objectives.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks Out on Milwaukee Bucks Championship Window
The other key factor here is Lillard’s current contract. He is locked up through 2027, but it is worth noting that the seven-time All-Star has a player option on the final season of his deal. This means that the Bucks actually have a three-year window with Dame.
Giannis is well aware of this fact. He knows that the clock is ticking, and this is exactly why he intends to capitalize on his partnership with Lillard while he can:
“We have three years — three years, I think,” Giannis said. “We are here together and we’re on the same page. He’s hungry. We want to win. We have three years to do that.
“It might not happen this year, might not happen next year, but it’s gonna happen. I’m speaking it to existence.”
Bucks fans would obviously prefer that their team bring home the championship at the soonest possible time. However, Giannis, who himself aligned his new deal with that of Lillard’s, knows that there will be growing pains along the way. This is the first time both he and Dame are playing with a superstar-caliber teammate, and significant adjustments will need to be made on both ends.
Be that as it may, Antetokounmpo is confident that they will be able to figure things out sooner or later. He will remain patient, but he definitely won’t take his eye off the ball:
“I have three more years to do that, to be successful, to try to win one championship. Let’s start with one,” he said.
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