Antetokounmpo won’t say whether he will sign supermax offer

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the “amazing” moves the Milwaukee Bucks have made to improve the team, but the two-time reigning MVP stopped short Wednesday of saying he would sign a supermax contract extension offer.

“Right now I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said during his first preseason discussion with reporters. “I know my agent, Alex ( Saratsis), and ( general manager) Jon Horst and the Bucks ownership are focusing on those discussions. I’m just trying to focus on myself and how I can get better, how I can help my teammates be better, how I can be ready Saturday to play our first preseason game.”

Antetokounmpo, who turned 26 last week, would be able to receive up to 35% of the salary cap with an 8% escalation each year of the deal under a supermax extension. The Bucks were able to offer a five- year deal worth over $ 220 million.

He has until Dec. 21 to sign the extension, or else he will be eligible to become a free agent after the 2020- 21 season. Antetokounmpo said he is letting his agent handle any contract discussions.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m not the type of player who talks with his agent five times a week or seven times a week.”

The Bucks spent the offseason trying to upgrade their roster, with mixed success, after they posted the NBA’s best regularseason record in each of the last two years only to fall short in the playoffs.