One of the factors that received less attention when Nico Harrison opted to trade Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers last year was his hesitation to ultimately commit to a supermax extension.
Harrison reportedly wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of giving Doncic a five-year, $345 million contract. A similar line of thinking is now emerging around Giannis Antetokounmpo, as at least one team weighing a potential trade is reportedly cautious about the financial commitment that would follow.
“I know there’s a team I’ve talked to that would be able to put together a package, a pretty attractive package, and they said, ‘We’re just not crazy about that contract with our options that we can do. I just don’t know if we want to commit him to $275 million,’” Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective Podcast.
“And you can’t trade all those things if you’re not that committed to him.”
Antetokounmpo would be eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension in October if he remains with the Milwaukee Bucks or is traded before the deadline. If a deal were to be struck this offseason, he wouldn’t be able to finalize that extension until January.
Right now, Antetokounmpo is sidelined indefinitely with his second calf injury of the year, adding another layer of uncertainty for teams assessing whether to pursue him.
The looming contract decision, combined with his recent injuries and the size of the financial obligation, makes potential trade scenarios more complex for franchises considering acquiring the two-time MVP, who turned 31 in December.
The situation mirrors Harrison’s previous assessment of Doncic prior to that blockbuster trade. Organizations interested in Antetokounmpo must weigh the enormous salary commitment against long-term roster flexibility and their overall championship plans.
Potential suitor is wary of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next four-year contract worth $275 million https://t.co/yeJCoUSdUw
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 30, 2026
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