Giannis loses huge Nike bonus after Milwaukee Bucks decision

Giannis Antetokounmpo lost a significant bonus from his Nike endorsement deal because the Milwaukee Bucks held him out of games, preventing him from reaching the 41-game threshold required to trigger the payment.

Giannis Antetokounmpo may feel ready to return, but the Milwaukee Bucks superstar hasn’t played since March 15. After dealing with multiple injuries this season, the Greek Freak has appeared in just 36 games, with only four regular-season matchups remaining.

Milwaukee Bucks / Schedule

That means Antetokounmpo won’t reach the 41-game threshold, even if he returns immediately. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, that absence has already cost him financially.

“Multiple sources said the Bucks’ decision to sit Antetokounmpo cost him a significant bonus in his Nike endorsement contract that would have been triggered if he played at least 41 games,” Charania reported.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t seen the court since exiting a March 15 win over the Indiana Pacers. Since then, the Bucks have ruled him out with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.

Despite that, Giannis has been going through pregame warmups without visible limitations and has repeatedly said he feels healthy. The team, however, disagrees.

With Milwaukee already out of postseason contention, the Bucks’ medical staff has continued to hold him out.

Credit Image AP – Scanpix

Charania also reported that Antetokounmpo pushed to play as early as March 17 against the Utah Jazz, insisting he was ready. The team overruled him after he was not medically cleared.

He later told people around the organization that he hoped to return during the road trip, targeting games on March 21 in Phoenix, March 23 in Los Angeles, and March 25 in Portland, but he never made it back onto the floor.

The situation has now drawn the NBA’s attention, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding his availability.

Beyond the injury concerns, Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee has become a major talking point.

Credit AP – Scanpix

According to Charania, tension has grown between him and Bucks general manager John Horst, particularly after trade-deadline rumors suggested a blockbuster move.

“This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league,” one source close to the team told ESPN. “They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows.”

Antetokounmpo now faces a pivotal offseason. He has missed 42 games and is averaging 27.6 points per game, his lowest scoring mark since the 2017-18 season.

The two-time MVP has spent his entire 13-year NBA career in Milwaukee, which selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

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