ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks was on SiriusXM NBA Radio, where he claimed the Milwaukee Bucks are in trouble if they lose this cornerstone player. With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments last week about the pressure being on the team to deliver another championship, Milwaukee, if they don’t win a title this year, could find themselves in a predicament because Giannis could choose not to sign his extension next season. Still, according to Bobby Marks, this star player could find his way out of Milwaukee.
ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks boldly claims the Milwaukee Bucks are in trouble if they lose Jrue Holiday
Bobby Marks isn’t wrong in his assessment of the Milwaukee Bucks if they lose Jrue Holiday.
Marks doesn’t have high hopes the team will be able to retain Giannis or Holiday.
“I don’t think he’s (Giannis’) going to sign the extension, it doesn’t make sense financially.” Marks said. “I would be concerned based on what happens with Jrue Holiday,” I think that’s the X-factor of what I’m going to keep my eye on…
“Holiday is extension-eligible February 22, he potentially could be a free agent next year what does Milwaukee do? If they lose him, they are going to be in deep trouble.”
[Via SiriusXM NBA Radio]
That would be a massive loss for the Milwaukee Bucks. Since being acquired in 2020, Holiday has helped transform Milwaukee into a perennial title contender.
The move to acquire Holiday came after flaming out in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat. After that series, the team had to trade for a player who would help push them over the top. Eric Bledsoe showed time and time again he was not that guy. The trade with the New Orleans Pelicans was franchise-changing as Milwaukee only gave up Bledsoe, George Hill, and three future first-round picks.
That deal immediately paid dividends, as Milwaukee won a championship in Holiday’s first year with the team. But in the last two seasons, Milwaukee has had trouble replicating that success, losing in the second round the season after against the Boston Celtics and getting bounced in the first round by the upstart Miami Heat this past season.
Holiday did sign a four-year $135 million to remain with the team in 2021, but on the Point Forward podcast, he strongly suggested he might do this after his next contract.
Milwaukee Bucks 2X All-Star Jrue Holiday in 2022 said he plans to retire after his current contract.
On the Point Forward Podcast, Jrue Holiday reveals how serious he is about retiring after his current contract.
“It’s [because] my wife had this conversation,” Holiday said. “I think it was two days ago, she was like ‘Are you serious after this contract. Like, are you serious about retiring?”
“I’m like ‘Yes. Like I feel very strongly about it.”
Holiday has a $37 million player option in 2024 before becoming a free agent in 2025. Holiday (33) is still playing at the top of his game, but if the team falls short of its title aspirations this year and next year. How many members of the Big Four will still be on the team? Giannis, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday have been productive players for a long time, but one of these players will see a sharp decline in their play, and the last thing Milwaukee should do is hang on to an aging core that won’t compete for a championship.
How big of a hit would it be if Jrue Holiday potentially leaves the Milwaukee Bucks?
Remember the dark days of the Milwaukee Bucks? Okay, not 13 wins in 2013-14, but more like fighting for a sixth or seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.
There are so many factors at play now. A new head coach of the franchise, a core that is getting older, if the roster construction is good enough to compete for a championship. Pundits thought Milwaukee was the odds-on favorite to make the NBA Finals last year due to their depth, and they got bounced in the first round.
It’s hard to find a player who’s had a bigger impact on their team than Jrue Holiday. The Bucks were already good with Giannis and Middleton, but the addition of Holiday makes them elite, with how big of an impact he has on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.
These factors make it vital for the Bucks to win in their short title window.
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