Like any other NBA team out there, the Milwaukee Bucks will have to make the most of the offseason to become better for the upcoming campaign later this year. The thing is, there might be one challenge that may prevent the team from doing just that.
Following a disappointing early playoff exit, the Bucks made changes during the previous offseason. Head coach Mike Budenholzer, who had led the team to win the 2021 NBA Finals, was fired after five years with the organization. Adrian Griffin was then appointed as his replacement
The Bucks acquired All-Star Damian Lillard in a three-team deal. The trade involved sending veteran guard Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and a 2029 first-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers, while Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson joined the Phoenix Suns.
However, earlier this year, the Bucks unexpectedly dismissed head coach Adrian Griffin, despite their strong record of 30-13, which ranked them second in both the Eastern Conference and the NBA at the time. Doc Rivers was subsequently hired as the new head coach.
Although the Bucks secured their eighth consecutive playoff berth, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury towards the end of the season, causing him to miss the first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. Additionally, Lillard also missed postseason games due to injury. As a result, the short-handed Bucks faced elimination in the first round of the playoffs, falling to Indiana in six games and experiencing their second consecutive early exit.
NBA Analysis Highlights Milwaukee Bucks’ Biggest Fear This Offseason
After a second consecutive first round exit, the Bucks’ front office will go back to the drawing board to find a solution. But according to an article by Greg Swartz for Bleacher Report, there’s a situation that won’t lead to any positive results.
“The Milwaukee Bucks essentially went all-in for Damian Lillard last offseason and have little means to upgrade this summer. The Bucks don’t control their first-round pick from 2025 to 2030, either with selections owed outright to teams or in pick swaps.
There’s no elite young talent on the roster to move, either. For better or worse, this may be the roster Milwaukee runs it back with next year. With the Boston Celtics looking like a potential dynasty, the New York Knicks on the rise and the Philadelphia 76ers in the hunt for a third star with max cap space this summer, can the Bucks really afford to not get better?” Swartz wrote.
As it stands, Milwaukee has limited assets to move around for new players to join the team. As a result, the front office may have to trade away key guys, such as Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez, to get some value in return.
It remains to be seen what the Bucks will do in the offseason. If they don’t make any moves at all, they run the risk of being stagnant in a competitive Eastern Conference next year.
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