He is number 13 in the Forbes’ list:
Giannis is not required to pay taxes in Greece on his income earned in the United States, as Greece does not tax its citizens on foreign-earned income. Only income earned within Greece is subject to Greek taxation, and there’s no indication that Antetokounmpo earns significant income from sources within Greece that would require him to pay taxes there. He primarily earns his income from his NBA salary with the Milwaukee Bucks, endorsements, and investments, most of which are based in the U.S. or other countries. For example, his 2023-24 salary was reported at $45.6 million, and his net worth is estimated between $70-140 million, largely from U.S.-based contracts and endorsements with companies like Nike and T-Mobile.
Reasons Some Argue Giannis Is Overpaid
Massive Contract Size Relative to Performance in Key Moments:
- Giannis signed a five-year, $228.2 million supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, with a player option for 2025-26. His 2023-24 salary was $45.6 million, and his 2024-25 salary is around $48.8 million, among the NBA’s highest. Critics argue this is disproportionate for a player who hasn’t consistently delivered in high-stakes playoff scenarios since the 2021 championship. For instance, the Bucks’ early playoff exits in 2022 (second round) and 2023 (first round) raised questions about his ability to lead under pressure, especially with injuries and perceived struggles against elite defenses.
- His playoff performance can be inconsistent. In the 2023 playoffs, he shot 52.6% from the field but struggled with free throws (61.7%) and had no three-point threat (0% in some series), limiting his offensive versatility. Critics point to games where he’s neutralized by defensive schemes (e.g., Miami’s zone in 2023) as evidence his impact doesn’t always match his pay.
Skill Set Limitations:
- Giannis’ lack of a reliable jump shot or elite free-throw shooting (65.7% career) makes him predictable in crunch time. Teams like Toronto in 2019 and Miami in 2020-23 exploited this by building walls in the paint, forcing him to pass or shoot from outside. Some argue his one-dimensional offensive game (relying on drives and athleticism) doesn’t justify a salary that rivals more versatile stars like Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry, who can score from anywhere.
Injury Concerns and Load Management:
- Giannis has missed significant games due to injuries, playing 63 games in 2022-23 and 61 in 2023-24. His absence impacts the Bucks’ performance, and critics argue a player earning nearly $50 million annually should be more durable or available. For comparison, LeBron James, at a similar salary, played 71 games in 2023-24 at age 39. Injuries like his 2023 back bruise and 2024 calf strain in the playoffs fuel the narrative that his contract is a risk if he can’t stay on the court.
Team Success Tied to Supporting Cast:
- The Bucks’ 2021 championship relied heavily on Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday (now traded), and many argue Giannis’s individual dominance (e.g., 50 points in Game 6 of the Finals) is inflated by a strong supporting cast. Without elite teammates, his impact might not translate to titles, suggesting his salary overvalues his ability to carry a team single-handedly. The Bucks’ 49-33 record in 2023-24 and first-round exit despite adding Damian Lillard reinforce this for critics.
Market Inflation and NBA Salary Cap:
- Some view Giannis’s contract as a symptom of an inflated NBA market, where supermax deals are driven by loyalty and market size rather than pure value. The salary cap in 2023-24 was $136 million, meaning Giannis’s salary consumed ~33% of the Bucks’ cap. Critics argue this limits roster flexibility, forcing Milwaukee to rely on aging or overpaid role players, which hampers competitiveness. For context, Jayson Tatum’s $314 million deal (2024) sets a new benchmark, but Giannis’s deal was seen as oversized at signing.
Is he worth it?
The “overpaid” argument stems from Giannis’s playoff inconsistencies, limited shooting, injury history, and the sheer size of his contract in a small market. He is aggressively selling out to promote anything he can possibly promote right now, probably afraid that more failure will soon damage his brand.
