Milwaukee Bucks fans were starting to think the day would never come. Weeks, months, the whole summer and preseason schedule went by before the team finally made the announcement the fanbase has been waiting for: AJ Green, everyone’s favorite sniper, has been granted a contract extension worth four years and $45 million, fully guaranteed.
Jumping for joy might seem like an overreaction, but Green is a key roster-building piece for the future and a projected starter this season. Had he not been extended, he would be a free agent next summer. After the anxiety induced by the Bucks’ lengthy silence on the Green extension front, the two sides inking the deal is cause for, if not celebration, at least significant relief.
Bucks lock up key cog ahead of could-be breakout
$45 million sounds like a lot of money, but it might look like a bargain by the time Green’s deal is up – if not by the end of this season. Many in the Bucks community see Green, entering his fourth season out of Iowa, as poised for a breakout campaign in 2025-26. He made major strides last season from the year before and fits extremely well alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo as a perimeter weapon and capable wing defender. Green’s +7.3 on-off rating last season ranked second on the team behind Giannis.
Mar 9, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) puts up a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Evidence of his sneaky value on this team, Green featured in the Bucks’ most effective lineup in 2024-25: Giannis, Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. In addition to his lethal jumpshot, his underlying metrics won him likely inclusion in Doc Rivers’ starting five. In the preseason, Green and Trent started every game, certainly suggesting that Rivers is planning to run back the lineup model he finally got around to, too late, in Game 5 of the first round versus Indiana.
This means that Green should see his minutes climb even higher after he doubled his playing time last year, up to 22.7 minutes per game. He made only seven starts all season, but clearly he is ready for a bigger role. He proved as much in the ’24-25 playoffs, when he looked like much more than a mid-tier bench player.
In 27 minutes per contest, Green averaged 11 points per game (compared to 7.4 in the regular season) while shooting 51.4% from three. In the overtime elimination game, Rivers turned to him for 46 minutes, confidence Green rewarded by going 6-10 from downtown for 19 points.
Jan 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sets up a play in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
He also supplied the highlight performance of the 2025 preseason, pouring in 22 points in 22 minutes against the Pistons. Bucks fans are excited for the next chapter of Green’s Bucks career, and now they don’t have to worry about whether 2025-26 will be their last chance to watch him in Milwaukee.
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