The Milwaukee Bucks have officially introduced Adrian Griffin as the 17th head coach in franchise history. With Griffin at the helm, the goal is what is has been over the past five seasons: win NBA Championships. Not just one. Multiple. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in his prime and the team, while in need of some tinkering, is primed to compete for years to come. One of the ways that Coach Griffin intends to do that is by using the core four of Giannis, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez.
Of course, Lopez is a free agent and Middleton has a player option for the upcoming season. Based on Griffin’s recent comments, though, both will be back in Bucks’ uniforms.
Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Adrian Griffin Wants Both Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton Back
As is the case for many players around the NBA, there have been free agent rumors and trade scenarios thrown around including Lopez and Middleton for weeks now. Of course, most of these are unsubstantiated and include little-to-no credence. What is reliable, though, are the words of a head coach, as relayed to fans by Eric Nehm of The Athletic:
“’Giannis is arguably the best player in the world, but we have some extraordinarily talent on this team as well,’ Griffin said. “Khris (Middleton), Jrue (Holiday), Brook (Lopez), those guys are probably number ones on any other team, so I’m excited to just be a part of this team and this culture and I’m excited to coach them all.’
“Griffin mentioning both players unprompted could have been a suggestion that he expects them to be a part of the franchise again next season.
“Following the mention of both players in the press conference, Griffin was asked directly about the futures of Middleton and Lopez, but he did not say anything definitive about either players’ future. Griffin did, however, make it clear that he would like to coach both players next season.
“’For me, coming in and competing against them all these years, I’m probably one of their biggest advocates,’ Griffin said of Middleton and Lopez. ‘I’ve seen firsthand how good these players are. Jon and I are gonna sit down, but I’ve reached out to all the players and expressed how excited I am. Obviously they’re a big part of what we’re trying to do moving forward, they’re huge pieces.’”
While there are factions of Bucks fans that would like to see one or both of Lopez and Middleton gone, the fact remains that they are both immensely important to the team and, let’s be honest, not the reason Milwaukee lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After all, Middleton was the team’s leading scorer in the Playoffs and Lopez, well, was used ineffectively by a head coach who is no longer employed by the organization.
Lopez was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year this season and was First Team All NBA Defense. Middleton is finally going to be healthy and should return to All-Star form in 2023-24. If the goal is a NBA title, the Bucks will need both. Griffin knows that. The front office knows that.
They just need to make the salary numbers work.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
