Bucks owner Haslam wants Giannis' future settled before NBA draft - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam says he would like to have Giannis Antetokounmpo's future sorted out before next month's NBA draft.

Haslam spoke Wednesday alongside general manager Jon Horst at a news conference introducing Taylor Jenkins as the Bucks' coach. Antetokounmpo has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, but it's possible he could leave Milwaukee after a frustrating, injury-marred season.

«I just think before the draft is a natural time,» Haslam said. «Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently.»

Antetokounmpo has said repeatedly that he likes playing in Milwaukee but wants to play for a franchise committed to competing for championships. The Bucks went 32-50 this season to snap a string of nine straight playoff appearances.

The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million contract extension in October. If Antetokounmpo doesn't sign, he could become a free agent after next season.

Haslam, also a co-owner of the NFL's Cleveland Browns, would like the matter settled long before October. He spoke Wednesday as though the decision rests with the Bucks as much as it does with Antetokounmpo.

«We never had any problem communicating directly with Giannis — at all — and always knew where he stood,» Haslam said. «And I think he always knew where we stood. We've had those kind of conversations since the season was over.… So sometime over the next six or seven weeks, we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us, or he's going to play somewhere else. And Jon and Taylor, along with [co-owner] Wes [Edens] and myself will make that call, and we