NEW YORK — Well, there goes that pipe dream.
Giannis Antetokounmpo announced he’s signing a five-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, effectively removing the top player from the 2021 free-agent class. The “supermax” deal guarantees the Greek Freak $228 million with an opt-out clause after the fourth year, meaning he can’t hit free agency until 2025.
The Knicks are positioned to wield major cap space next summer but the class is diminished. Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo and De’Aaron Fox all signed long-term deals in the offseason. Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gobert are the best still on course for 2021 free agency, but neither seem a likely fit in New York.
The Knicks new front office, led by Leon Rose and William Wesley, punted free agency in 2020 by only spending about half their cap space and declining to ink multi-year deals. It maintained flexibility for a future trade and preserved money for what was once a hyped 2021 class.
Now that class is a lot less star-studded. Toronto and Miami were also among the teams hoping to make a run at Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks are the big winners with their successful bid to re-sign the two-time reigning MVP. They’ve owned the league’s best record the last two seasons but disappointed in the playoffs, raising concerns that the small market franchise would lose its star. But Milwaukee upgraded the roster by acquiring Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans and enters next season secure with Antetokounmpo and as the Eastern Conference favorites.
