The Milwaukee Bucks will undoubtedly do everything in their power to sign superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to a supermax extension once he's eligible in the Summer of 2020.
With the Bucks currently sitting in first place and a bright future ahead, it's easy to envision a scenario where Giannis simply commits to the franchise long term as soon as he can.
But that doesn't mean teams around the league, including the powerhouse Golden State Warriors, aren't already plotting on making a play for the Greek Freak in 2021.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The Athletic's Marcus Thompson recently described just how the Warriors would be able to pull it off, should the situation arise.
[Stephen] Curry is due to make $45.8 million in 2021-22. When he hits free agency in July 2021, Giannis would be set to sign a max deal that starts at $42.6 million. That puts their combined number over $88 million. The current salary-cap projection for 2021-22 is $123.9 million.
So those two would eat up more than 70 percent of the cap by themselves. If, as expected, he signs a max extension with the Warriors this coming July, [Klay] Thompson would be on board for $37.9 million for 2021-22, which would put the Warriors very near the projected cap number with three players.
Which means that if the Warriors are aiming for another superstar, there would be no room for Green. That’s where it gets difficult, emotionally and financially.
In regards to Marcus Thompson's article, the New York Times' Marc Stein adds:
"I can promise you, furthermore, that the Warriors have internally mused about a run at Giannis — however futile it may prove to be — in the event they can’t convince Kevin Durant to re-sign this summer. Trying to sign the most attractive free agent available is on the first page of the Golden State owner Joe Lacob’s playbook."