Can get a maximum salary of 400 million, but Antetokounmpo still wants the championship! No wonder the Lakers and Clippers are ready

The NBA has entered a long offseason. This summer, many NBA stars have received contract renewals of 100 million yuan, Alexander has 285 million in four years, Doncic has 165 million in three years, Jewish has 289 million in five years, Booker has 145 million in two years, etc. According to statistics, there are 14 stars with an annual salary of more than 50 million next season, and there are also some premium contracts, such as Embiid (55.22 million), who is troubled by injuries, such as Butler (54.13 million), who is over 36 years old; 26 people with an annual salary of more than 40 million. According to NBA salary experts, in four years, the league expects that 50 people with an average salary of more than 40 million will be expected. With the new broadcast contract taking effect and the minimum expectation of a 7% increase in salary cap every year, a maximum salary contract for players in the future will catch up with the entire career income of legendary stars.

Take Doncic as an example. This three-year, 165 million contract can be out of the player option in the last year, which means that Doncic can sign a five-year, 417 million super maximum salary in the summer of 28, which is more than Paul earned in 20 years! Similarly, next summer, there are still many super giants waiting to renew their contracts, such as Jokic and Antetokounmpo, who are both qualified to complete a four-year, super maximum salary renewal of 293.4 million yuan. But the two people are in different situations. Jokic clearly informed the team that he would talk about the contract renewal next summer and focus on helping the team to win the championship in the new season. To put it bluntly and realistically, there is a scheming element between the players and the team management. To put it bluntly, everyone wants to maximize their interests. After all, this is a business alliance!

Starting from two news reports, famous reporter Charania confirmed that Antetokounmpo was evaluating the future throughout the offseason, and was still uncertain about how to compete for the championship. Later, Milwaukee reporters also reported that there was no conclusion on whether Antetokounmpo would leave or stay in the Bucks! Secondly, the Bucks' management is very tough: from getting Lillard at the beginning, to buying out Lillard this summer, and then signing Turner, the management did not ask Antetokounmpo in advance whether he was willing, which was equivalent to "the love imposed on his children by his parents." Moreover, including the three-year, 44 million contract renewal of Portis, 11 million contract renewal of Porter Jr., 7.5 million contract signed Harris in 2 years, etc., the Bucks have maximized their immediate combat power within the scope of salary permitting, ensuring the top four in the East, but the upper limit is the second round of the East.

The management attitude is very clear: we have given all our money for Antetokounmpo. You can't let my wishes down. I have nothing to give you again! As for Antetokounmpo, his contract has 3 years left, with salary of 54.13 million + 58.46 million + 62.79 million (the option to take players in the last year). He can renew 293.4 million for 4 years in advance next summer. The salary of the new contract is: 6505 (cover player options) + 7025 + 7588 + 81.95 million, which is equivalent to Antetokounmpo having basically booked $400 million in the next 6 years in advance! Then why at this stage, Antetokounmpo is still not sure about his future? First of all, Antetokounmpo has a reason to stay: if you go to another team, you won’t get a super maximum salary at this level (just like Doncic), and the team is indeed willing to pay with your heart.

But the reason for leaving is simpler: the Bucks are not competitive at all! For Antetokounmpo, the best ending is to watch next season, next summer, wait for a four-year, 293.4 million super maximum salary renewal, and then in the middle of the 27-28 season, he can say goodbye to the Bucks and compete for the championship with a super maximum salary contract! There are two points to be sure. First, Antetokounmpo's current status in the league is second only to Alexander and Jokic (the top two are ranked in no particular order, but Antetokounmpo's third position is very stable). He does not lack the next home, and the Bucks can exchange for abundant bargaining chip reconstruction; secondly, if the Bucks understand Antetokounmpo's attitude, will they renew their contract with a super maximum salary? Or should I send him away next season just like the Mavericks treat Doncic?

The answer is about to come out. The Bucks management does not lack the courage to trade. When they got Holiday in the first transaction, they could see the clues when they got Lillard. They were willing to take a gamble. If Antetokounmpo renews his contract for four years tomorrow, it is actually a waste of time. As long as Antetokounmpo does not really want to stay, the Bucks must be ready for the transaction at any time! Let me give you two examples: Why did the Knicks renew Bridges contract for 150 million yuan in four years on August 5, local time in the United States? Because this means that the Knicks can still trade Bridges before next season's trading deadline. Including US media, the Heat and Antetokounmpo seem to be interested in each other, and the Heat's bargaining chips can be Herro + Wiggins + Weil + two first rounds + three swap rights. Once Antetokounmpo leaves the Bucks, the maximum salary of 400 million yuan will be a vain, and that can only be a full-time champion. Coincidentally, the Lakers and the Clippers, both Los Angeles' two-man Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers have nearly 50 million salary space tomorrow summer. If the Lakers leave, they can use Reeves as their main bargaining chip to sign first and then exchange; the Clippers' Harden contract is partially guaranteed tomorrow, and even Leonard may become a victim of the transaction in the last year of the contract! There are many teams in this league that quietly free up salary space in the future, it depends on Antetokounmpo's personal wishes. Tossing a coin cannot determine your final choice, but from the moment you throw the coin, you have already had the answer. It’s just a matter of time before Antetokounmpo leaves the Bucks!