THE Milwaukee Bucks are looking to improve the team around Giannis Antetokounmpo and are willing to spend much more to boost their title chances.
Amid speculation Antetokounmpo may decide to seek a new team, the NBA MVP met with team executives a few days ago to ask about the Bucks plans.
He got some sort of assurance the team is willing to exceed the $132.7 million luxury tax threshold to build a stronger team, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Bucks went 56-17 to top the regular season, but wound up exiting at the second round of the playoffs, with the Heat winning the semifinal series 4-1.
Antetokounmpo, set to be offered a super-max contract extension that could amount to $233 million when free agency officially opens, said after the exit that he would not ask for a trade but he expects the team to make moves in the offseason.
“We just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season,” said Antetokounmpo.
When free agency opened last year, the Bucks gave Khris Middleton a five-year $178 million deal.
The Bucks also extended the contract of Eric Bledsoe, who is in his first year of a reported $70 four-year deal.
Brook Lopez is on a four-year, $52 million deal.
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