NBA Rumors: Heading into the offseason, there will be many eyes watching what the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After a disappointing end to their season, which included an embarrassing first-round playoff loss at the hands of the 8th-seeded Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks head into the summer with much uncertainty – the like of which goes well beyond who their next head coach will be.
And sure, the Bucks do have to make a big decision as regards their next head coach but there are other big questions that the team has as well heading into the offseason. The Bucks must make free-agent decisions on two of their core players, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton. And then there’s the whole question of whether Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has two guaranteed years remaining on his current deal, is going to be willing to sign another contract extension this summer (which he’s eligible to do).
Losing in the first round of the playoffs could open the door for some retooling for the Bucks this offseason, but that’s a decision that needs to be made with a proper understanding of the potential fallout.
Every decision that is made this summer by the Bucks will undoubtedly impact the next. And, ultimately, everything leads back to Giannis who could really put pressure on the organization if he declined to sign an extension, which according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is a very real possibility.
Windy says that there are potential problems looming for the Bucks. That could end up being the case and there’s no question that losing in the first round to the Heat kind of made everything the more complicated.
How will the Milwaukee Bucks tackle a complicated offseason?
All of a sudden, it’s natural to question the entire Bucks’ build. Instead of a budding dynasty, everything and anything is on the table for Milwaukee this offseason. It’s easy to say that the Bucks should just re-sign everyone and run it back. And that the loss to the Heat was an anomaly and a nightmarish perfect storm.
However, at the same time, you’d have to wonder if perhaps the true anomaly was the Bucks winning the title a few years ago in the first place.
The Bucks have a complicated offseason to navigate through and it won’t be easy. And you’d have to imagine that Giannis’ decision will come down to how the Bucks manage this summer.
I have a feeling we’ll know by the end of this offseason if Giannis is truly happy with management in Milwaukee. Buckle up, and join the rest of the NBA as they keep a close eye on Giannis and the Bucks.