Down 2-0 in their first-round NBA Playoff series at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks are not only in danger of another early playoff exit, but their entire blueprint could be on the line. Since winning the championship in 2021, the Bucks have been nothing but disappointing. Aside from the consistent greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo, there's little that the Bucks have been able to hang their hat on.
It's one of the bigger reasons why the Bucks haven't been considered a legit championship contender in recent years. Even though the front office has attempted to make bold moves to try and help deliver championship No. 2 for the franchise and Giannis, they've continually failed Giannis. And it's come to the point where it can no longer be argued or overlooked.
The Milwaukee Bucks have completely failed to retool around Giannis
The ultimate sin of the front office is their inability to effectively retool around Giannis after it became clear the core that won their first NBA Championship in 2021 would not be in a strong position to replicate that same success. The front office's failed attempts to retool include trading for Damian Lillard a couple of offseasons ago, signing Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and then trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.
Those are the big notable moves that the Bucks have made in hopes of surrounding Giannis with a championship core. For the most part, each of those moves has not panned out as perhaps the Bucks believed they would. The Lillard-Giannis duo has not been as fierce as many believed it would, and the acquisition of Kuzma continues to make no sense.
In so few words, the Bucks' front office has completely failed Giannis. The Bucks went from having one of the most well-balanced supporting casts around Giannis to having one that doesn't fit and one that isn't talented enough to compete with the other contenders in the Eastern Conference.
As the Bucks face the likelihood of another first-round playoff exit, which would be their third straight, you can't help but wonder what awaits during the offseason. At this point, you'd have to assume the Giannis trade whispers are probably going to ramp up again. And, for the first time in a long time, they would be fair?
Giannis may never admit it because he's loyal to perhaps a fault, but if there was ever a time when he should pursue a trade, it may be now. Giannis has said all the right things and has continued to hold off on the idea that he would ever demand a trade away from the Bucks. However, with how things currently sit, it's hard to envision Milwaukee getting to a point where they'll be able to quickly surround Giannins with a championship-contending supporting cast.
The Bucks have failed Giannis over the last few seasons. That much can't be argued. The ball is in Giannis' court. Will he continue to trust this front office that has failed him time and time again over the last few years, or will he finally take command of his NBA future? At the very least, Giannis' situation in Milwaukee is certainly one to keep a close eye on.