Several players who started or played major minutes off the bench for the Bucks this season are headed for free agency this summer, but co-owner Marc Lasry remains hopeful that the franchise can keep its core intact, as he tells Frank Isola of The Athletic.
“Our goal is to keep everybody,” Lasry said. “And we’re going to do everything in our power to keep the nucleus of our team.”
While the Bucks may not retain “everybody” on their roster who will be a free agent this offseason, there are three key players the team figures to prioritize. As Isola writes, Khris Middleton is expected to be offered a maximum-salary contract or something close to it, and the team would also like to bring back Malcolm Brogdon and Brook Lopez. Nikola Mirotic and George Hill will also likely reach free agency.
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks in minutes during the Eastern Conference Finals, Middleton, Brogdon, and Lopez were the team’s three most-used players in that series vs. Toronto, so bringing them back will be Milwaukee’s No. 1 offseason goal. Brogdon’s modest cap hit (just under $2MM) and restricted status should help give the Bucks some cap flexibility as they weigh their options.
As for Antetokounmpo, he’s not up for a new deal quite yet, as his current pact runs through 2020/21. But he became eligible for a super-max extension by making an All-NBA team for a second straight year, and could sign that five-year extension during the 2020 offseason.
Like Lasry, Giannis recently said he’d like to see all the Bucks’ key free agents return. As long as the team proves it’s willing to invest financially to maintain a title contender, Milwaukee’s co-owner believes the team’s star will be interested in sticking around long-term.
“As long as we keep doing well and Giannis believes we’re doing everything we can to win I feel good about our chances,” Lasry said. “… I believe he wants to be here. I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Pipe dreaming here… let Hill, Mirotić and Middleton walk. Sign Kawhi. Bolster the bench with another veteran two way player and hope your young bench steps up for next season. Would anyone take Snell, anyone?
So who replaces Middleton? Snell?
Kawhi and Bojan B. Those are on my list to replace Middleton and Snell, respectively. Like I said earlier, I’m dreaming here. What else is fan to do?
Curious on your take to answer your own question.
I see you did pre-answer in the OP.
I suspect that if KM left, for the rest of the Giannis era, there would always be something missing, that a KM would answer perfectly. Like Tobias fitting what the Clips need, or Barnes in Dallas… except KM is better and/or the stakes higher.
But the Bojan idea is good. If the Bucks were to get, say a 3/$50mil promise from him, they could offer a 4/112 to KM and not be crushed if he took a 4/140 elsewhere. That would ensure they could sign all their current players. That would also weaken a competitor. He might choose MIL over IND for winning, or because Giannis offers better cover than what Indy has… he always seems so isolated on Indy. Now would Bojan’s D be too weak to win a title with… he would have better shotblockers behind him…
Rodney Hood looks like a safe gamble, and Portland has an even bigger money crunch… offer 3/40, same issue on D.
“Hope your young bench steps up for next season”. This isn’t nba 2k buddy. You can’t just hope young players will step up and help you win a championship. unless you’re the warriors you can’t win with an inexperienced second unit.
Time for Giannis to take less than max money so the Bucks can keep the needed pieces around him. That’s what’s wrong with the NBA salary structure. The stars are way overpaid. There’s no money for anyone else!
Fans pay to watch Giannis, now pay to watch Snell… can’t imagine why on earth anyone would, probably not even his own family tbh!
I want Klay Thompson! I’ll be ok with everyone returning but if we can bring back everyone and upgrade Middleton to Klay that would be perfect.