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Giannis Antetokounmpo hinted that his next challenge may not be with NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years last season, earning the Finals MVP award after a dominant series averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists against the Phoenix Suns.
The two-time NBA MVP had reiterated his commitment to the Bucks in December when he signed a super-max five-year, $228million contract extension, the largest in league history.
However, the 26-year-old suggested his future may be away from Milwaukee.
“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did,” Antetokounmpo told GQ. “It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.
“Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us – for now. In two years, that might change.
“I’m being totally honest with you. I’m always honest. I love this city. I love this community. I want to help as much as possible.”
Antetokounmpo’s agent Alex Saratsis tried to water down the comments, clarifying that they were about his ambition not switching teams.
“I don’t think it’s, ‘I’m thinking about leaving the Bucks’,” Saratsis said. “But I think he’s genuinely like: ‘Okay, I have reached the pinnacle. The next challenge is, let’s repeat’.
“But what happens if you do repeat? What’s the next challenge? What is that next barrier? When you think about it from a basketball perspective, by the age of 26, this kid has accomplished everything. So sometimes you’re going to have to manufacture what those challenges are.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game across 13 games this season, with the Bucks sitting 6-8.
Athens-born Greek star Antetokounmpo joined the Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
