Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next contract: What to know..

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a contract extension on Friday, his first chance to recommit to the franchise since he signed a supermax extension before the 2020-21 season.

Antetokounmpo still has two years remaining on his contract, plus a player option for a third year, but his timeline toward free agency is ticking quickly. For now, Antetokounmpo, 28, remains committed to the Bucks, but he has reiterated this offseason that his loyalty to the organization is contingent on the team remaining in championship contention.

Every season of Antetokounmpo’s career comes with heightened expectations. Already a two-time MVP, he averaged a career-high 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists during the 2022-23 season and finished third in MVP voting.

Yet, the Bucks are coming off a disappointing finish in last year’s postseason, going from the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs to losing in five games to the Miami Heat in the first round, a series in which Antetokounmpo missed two games because of a back injury.

Milwaukee is about to enter one of the most pivotal stretches in franchise history. From the moment Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign an extension until the day he signs it or signals his intentions not to, all eyes around the league are going to be monitoring his contract status closely.

Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier and Bobby Marks teamed up to break down the biggest questions facing Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as they enter this crucial period.