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Sh25 billion: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo signs richest deal in NBA history

Basketball

By Reuters | Dec 16, 2020

Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, bottom left, Jae Crowder, top left, and Jimmy Butler (22) defend as Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball conference semifinal playoff game inin Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. [AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File]

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo agreed to a five-year, $228.2 million (Sh 25 billion) supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 26-year-old forward announced the deal Tuesday on Twitter.

"This is my home, this is my city," he posted. "I'm blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let's make these years count. The show goes on, let's get it."

The deal ends months of speculation about Antetokounmpo's future. Most of the talk centered around whether Antetokounmpo would opt to enter free agency following hints in the offseason that he wanted to be paired with another superstar.

With an average annual value of $45.6 million, it is the largest contract in NBA history, according to The Athletic.

August 6, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) moves the ball down court against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA basketball game at The Arena. [Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports]

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $206.8 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018, with an annual average salary of $41.4 million (per Spotrac). Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry signed a five-year, $201.2 million extension in 2017.

Antetokounmpo's agent, Alex Saratsis, confirmed the details of the contract with ESPN. It includes an opt-out after the fourth year.

Antetokounmpo won Defensive Player of the Year honours along with his second straight MVP award in 2019-20. He posted career highs in scoring (29.5) and rebounding (11.4) and led the Bucks (56-17) to the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The four-time All-Star has career averages of 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 528 games (463 starts) with the Bucks. He was Milwaukee's first-round pick (15th overall) in 2013.