How much is a championship worth?
As the 2020–2021 NBA season approaches, the biggest question GM’s are sure to have is will Giannis Antetokounmpo re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks? Entering into the last year of his 4 year, $100 million contract, Giannis’s next chapter in his career could be swayed by the Bucks franchise’s ability to offer a “super max” contract. A super max contract can only be offered by the team that originally drafted the player, a deal that has only been executed 4 times since its inception (GS Warriors to Stephen Curry, OKC Thunder to Russell Westbrook, Wizards to John Wall, HOU Rockets to James Harden). The deal is worth 35% of the annual salary cap, differing from the max-contract at 30%. Giannis has until December 21st to sign the $220–250 million extension. While signing this enticing deal lines the pockets of its recipients, is it enough to peak the interest of a transcendent superstar with championship aspirations?
The Milwaukee Bucks last championship team was led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, beating the second seeded Boston Celtics in 7 games. Kareem was a young superstar who ultimately was too big for the small market, pushing for and receiving a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers just a few years later in 1974. The notion continued to loom over mid-sized cities for decades to come, as many drafted prospects would somehow find their way out of town soon after their rookie contracts expired. The major market teams at the top of star player’s lists are the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat,Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers. Combined, these organizations account for 50 NBA Championships, a stat that doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the league. Of the 22 other NBA teams there are 24 Champions, with 11 teams never winning one.
There are many cautionary tales that may show the Bucks the writings on the wall. In the past twenty years, several franchises have been derailed by their inability to get long term commitments from players who yearn for a bigger stage. Cities such as Orlando, Cleveland, Toronto, Indiana, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Denver have lost grandiose names to free agency (Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Paul George, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Kemba Walker, Carmelo Anthony.)There are few examples of famed athletes staying with their drafted teams, mostly due to the lack of interest a small market team garners from other elite players. This leaves players to weigh which is more important to them, money or championships? But why can’t you choose both?
Certain small market teams have been able to crack the code and convince stars to commit while also delivering championships to their respective cities. Blueprints for success are exhibited by organizations such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs team, led by head coach Greg Poppovich, has won 5 NBA Finals since 1999. The San Antonio squad drafted and retained two Hall of Fame legends in David Robinson and Tim Duncan, with a backcourt of drafted All Star talents Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. Golden State found success as well, winning 3 championships in a 5 year window from 2015–2019. The Warriors drafted and received long term commitments from all 3 of their perennial superstars( Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green). The one thing that separates these two teams from the rest of the sub-par organizations is culture. Owners willing to do what it takes to implement a winning culture can change a fly over city into a contending elite franchise. With 8 championships and 11 Finals between the two cities since 1999, the Milwaukee Bucks should try and mirror what these teams have done to ensure elite players they’re committed to winning.
A common mistake teams make is letting their stars walk away in free agency with nothing in return, sinking the team into a spiraling regression. Many organizations bet on sales pitches, loyalty, and super-max contracts to entice players to commit long term, although ultimately losing big and freefalling. The best option is to trade the player and get as many assets in return. The best example of this scenario is with the 2019 New Orleans Pelicans. The 6 time All-star Anthony Davis showed his unwillingness to sign an extension with the team and his desire to play in a bigger market, Los Angeles. Instead of waiting to see how the situation played out, the Pelicans traded Davis to the Lakers in return for a young talented core of players (one in which won Most Improved Player in his first season in New Orleans, Brandon Ingram). This move allowed the team to reset, but not from rock bottom; aimlessly searching for a new direction to head in.
For Giannis, the Bucks must show that they share the same level of championship aspirations as him and not just enjoying the ride. Antetokounmpo, the reigning back-to-back MVP, is in the beginning stages of his prime and must make sure that he isn’t wasting his best years in a city that hasn’t seen a talent of this magnitude in over 40 years. For reference, perhaps Giannis should look at the career paths of Lebron James and Kevin Durant. Both MVPs’ trails run parallel to the Bucks young athlete. James and Durant chose to leave the teams they were drafted to and head to a bigger market in hopes of securing their first NBA championship, James with the Miami Heat and Durant with the Golden State Warriors. Both players were in a place in their careers where they could not afford to let another season go by without winning a championship. Had James and Durant chosen to stay with their respective teams, the possibility of staying in Milwaukee might be an easier decision for the 25 year old megastar. This could very well be the last rodeo for Giannis and the Bucks. The 2020–2021 season definitely has Finals or bust implications looming over it. With a $250 million super-max extension awaiting at the conclusion of the season, The one question that must be answered by Giannis is how much is a championship worth?
