Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Takeaways From Series Loss To Toronto Raptors

Center Problems Persist

Another year, another weird center rotation in Milwaukee. The Bucks have a new starting center in Thon Maker, and one who makes for a terrifying four-five duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis and Thon both being able to guard pretty much anybody and handle the ball means Milwaukee’s front court is revolutionary, or at least has the potential of being that.

Unfortunately, there’s more to figure out here. There are three other centers on the Bucks roster: Greg Monroe, Spencer Hawes and John Henson. Hawes and Henson both got completely random playoff minutes, and Monroe is the Bucks de facto sixth man.

The Bucks need three of those players at most, and would be better off with Thon, Moose and some cost-controlled third option. Unfortunately Henson and Hawes might both be around next season, depending on how Hawes handles his player option, plus Monroe could wind up elsewhere if he opts out of the final year on his deal.

Henson and Hawes will cost a combined $18 million. That’s a lot of money for two players who combined for 29 postseason minutes, which is probably 29 more than they should’ve played.

The Bucks best player is Giannis, undoubtedly. Although he shot 40 percent from the field, Giannis is far from a talented sharpshooter. He needs those kinds of players around him though, meaning Milwaukee would be better to play less centers, not more of them.

That’s easier said than done, considering how much money is tied up in Henson especially. Still, if John Hammond can dump Miles Plumlee‘s contract, maybe he can do the same thing with Henson’s this summer.