Officially announced to stay in the team! The Bucks couldn t laugh. How much helpless is Antetokounmpo s choice hidden?

The most explosive news in the NBA in the past two days besides the finals, Antetokounmpo stayed in the team.

First, the league's internal agent collectively predicted that he would leave, and then the Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs and other 29 teams collectively asked for the price. Even the Mavericks were willing to sign the No. 1 pick. As a result, Antetokounmpo said "I won't leave" and directly gave everyone no trouble.

To be honest, when this matter first came out, the first reaction was: Bucks fans have to set off fireworks for three days and three nights, right? After all, what level is Antetokounmpo? At the age of 30, he has been in a row for 7 consecutive years, has two MVPs, 9 All-Stars, and led the team to win the Bucks' first championship in 50 years in 2021. He is the top three super giant in the league. What's even more outrageous is that he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the regular season this season, and directly scored 33 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists in the playoffs. In the entire NBA history, he is the only one who can average 30+11+6 per game and maintain a 60% shooting percentage for two consecutive seasons.

But before the happiness was over, the Bucks fans frowned again: Antetokounmpo has stayed, but can this day really get better?

Let's first talk about the "nightmare" of the Bucks in the past two years - Pacers. Last year, Antetokounmpo missed the playoffs due to injury, and Lillard led the team to be eliminated by the Pacers 2-4 in the first round; this year, Lillard tore his Achilles tendon and averaged only 7 points per game. Antetokounmpo carried the Bucks alone and lost to the Pacers 1-4. What level do you think of the Bucks now? To put it bluntly, it is not much different from the Cavaliers and the Knicks, so it depends on Antetokounmpo to support it alone.

The question is, Antetokounmpo is so strong, why don’t you stay in the team to compete for the championship? Because the bucks have no ability to strengthen!

Look at the core first: Lillard will not be able to come back in April next season, which is basically equivalent to early reimbursement. He also has a 2-year, 120 million super contract, which is difficult to trade in this money; Kuzma's 2-year, 40 million premium contract, no one in the market will take over; Lopez is likely to leave the team, and there are few pillars in the inside.

Look at the future operation space: The Bucks' first round pick in the next 7 years, belonging to the Nets in 25 years, swapping with the Pelicans in 26 years, swapping with the Pelicans in 27 years, swapping with the Pelicans or the Hawks in 28 years, swapping with the Trail Blazers in 29 years, and swapping with the Wizards or the Trail Blazers in 29 years - until 2031, the Bucks can't regain control of their first round picks. To put it bluntly, in the next few years, the Bucks will not even have a first-round pick that can be traded. What kind of reinforcement will they use?

In other words, Antetokounmpo stays in the Bucks now and is likely to face the script of "one round of games every year". By the time Lillard's contract is over, Antetokounmpo is 33 years old. By then, his playing style (large-scale impact on the basket) is destined to plummet the data and trading value, and the Bucks can't exchange for good chips if they want to rebuild - this is not "loyalty", but more like "binding".

Some people may say: Is Antetokounmpo stupid? I don’t want to put the offer from Team 29, and I have to spend it on the Bucks?

In fact, his choice is quite understandable. On the one hand, the Bucks are his "second hometown" - from being selected in the first round of 15 in 2013 to growing into an MVP and champion step by step, Milwaukee has witnessed his everything from "Greek Monster" to "League Super Giant". His family lives here and his children grow up here. This sense of belonging is not comparable to a few lottery tickets.

On the other hand, Antetokounmpo may also understand: Even if you change teams, you may not be able to live a better life. Now in the league, the favorites to compete for the championship are either aging lineup (such as the Lakers) or locked in salary (such as the Celtics). There are not many teams that can really match him with a championship lineup. Instead of taking risks in unfamiliar environments, it is better to stay in a familiar place, and at least you can try the legend of "one person, one city".

But reality is cruel. The NBA is a business alliance, not a charity. Back then, the Mavericks regarded Doncic as a treasure, but they traded as soon as they said they could, but they exchanged too few chips. The Bucks' current situation is even more embarrassing: keeping Antetokounmpo, the upper limit in the next few years will be visible to the naked eye; when Antetokounmpo's peak is over, it will be too late to rebuild.

So, I boldly predict: If Antetokounmpo is determined to leave, as soon as next summer, the Bucks management will have to take the initiative to change - either pay luxury tax and spend money to strengthen (but there is no bargaining chip at all), or start reconstruction in advance (but Antetokounmpo is still at its peak). No matter which path you choose, Antetokounmpo may become a "sacrifice of the times".

Finally, I want to say a heart-to-heart talk to Antetokounmpo: Loyalty is a good thing, but basketball is a team sport. You can choose to advance and retreat with the Bucks, but you also have to think about it - when you are 35 years old on the court, and when you look at your teammates or a "change every year" role player, will you regret your decision now?

After all, the cruelest thing about professional sports is that no matter how deep the relationship is, it cannot withstand the passing of the "window of the championship".