The summer of 2020 was supposed to bring closure for the NBA's top team. Weeks after challenging for their first championship since 1974, the Milwaukee Bucks would be able to offer superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo the largest contract in NBA history, valued at a projected $254 million.
Antetokounmpo agreeing to such a deal would help prove that a mid-market team could retain a franchise player with strong team-building. It would also provide justification for the supermax rules, which were introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement.
Now, Antetokounmpo's upcoming supermax decision is full of uncertainty. The Bucks are chasing a title under unprecedented circumstances as the NBA restarts its season, and free agency will hit in October with the league's financial future lacking clarity.
How will the new realities of the league and an uncertain salary cap affect Antetokounmpo's massive decision this fall? And what are the implications for Milwaukee and the rest of the NBA if Antetokounmpo, 25, either signs a new deal or declines the supermax -- potentially making him one of the best free agents in league history in 2021?
Here's a look at the big questions and some early answers.
