Free-agent forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo has reached an agreement to return to the Milwaukee Bucks for the upcoming season. The older brother of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis has spent the past four seasons with the Bucks after being drafted by the New York Knicks in 2014. The team announced the deal on Friday, and here’s everything you need to know about this exciting development.
Antetokounmpo, 31, played a crucial role in the Bucks’ championship-winning season in 2020-21. Despite his limited playing time, he has made a positive impact on the team with his energy and serves as a mentor to his younger brother Giannis, who has won two MVP awards. In his career, Thanasis has averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds across 164 games with 11 starts.
This will be Antetokounmpo’s fifth consecutive season with the Bucks. Over the past four seasons, he has appeared in 162 games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. While he was part of Mike Budenholzer’s rotation in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, he did not see much playing time last season.
Despite his limited minutes on the court, Antetokounmpo’s presence has been invaluable to the team. He brings energy and serves as a sounding board for his younger brother, Giannis. His return to the Bucks will undoubtedly provide stability and continuity for the team.
With Antetokounmpo’s signing, the Bucks will have filled all 15 spots on their NBA roster, marking the unofficial completion of their offseason moves. General manager Jon Horst expressed satisfaction with the roster overall, despite the team’s lack of a true backup point guard. While there is still a possibility of making changes through trades, the team will not have any more open roster spots once Antetokounmpo’s signing is official.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s journey to the NBA has been a unique one. Although he was drafted in 2014, he didn’t make his NBA debut until the 2015-16 season after spending time in the then D-League. He played in just two games for the Knicks before venturing overseas to play professionally in Spain and Greece. He returned to the NBA with the Bucks in the 2019-20 season and has been with the team ever since.
In choosing to return to Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo had multiple options, including a potential reunion with the Knicks. However, he ultimately decided to continue his journey with the Bucks, joining his brother Giannis and fellow brothers Brook and Robin Lopez on the team.
This exciting development has generated buzz among basketball fans and analysts alike. The return of Thanasis Antetokounmpo adds depth and experience to the Bucks’ roster, further solidifying their chances of contending for another championship. With Giannis leading the way and his older brother by his side, the Bucks are poised to make another strong run in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s decision to return to the Milwaukee Bucks for another season is a significant development for the team. Despite his limited playing time, Antetokounmpo’s impact on and off the court cannot be understated. His energy, mentorship, and championship experience will be invaluable assets for the Bucks as they aim to defend their title. With Antetokounmpo’s signing, the team’s roster is complete, and they are ready to embark on another exciting season. Basketball fans can look forward to witnessing the Antetokounmpo brothers’ dynamic on the court and the Bucks’ pursuit of success in the upcoming NBA season.