Milwaukee Bucks should run it back this summer and retain core players

Why they should run it back

Given all of this, then, the Bucks cannot afford to take the cheap route out. Whatever concerns the Bucks may have about the amount of money these players will receive, they should absolutely run their team back next season.

The Bucks were very close to being the NBA Champions this season. They got there because of the contributions that all three of these guys made.

If they get another season to play together, there’s every reason to expect the Bucks to have even better chemistry next season. These guys played difficult, grinding minutes in the NBA Playoffs together. The understanding and comfort they developed in the regular season, and in these crucial minutes in the playoffs, should lead to them building upon their success next season.

Their familiarity and comfort playing together should put them at a distinct advantage over most other contending teams too. Even if some of the league’s top stars team up on a fellow title rival to create a legitimate challenger, there’s going to be a period of time for them to acclimate to a new coach, city, and teammates. Milwaukee doesn’t have to worry about that if they run their team back.

Milwaukee won’t have the cap space to replace any of these three players with similar talent this summer either. The Bucks don’t have the space to offer a max contract to someone who would be a clear upgrade, like Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard. It’s doubtful those players would consider a meeting with the Bucks too, even if Milwaukee were to clear the requisite space to land them.

None of the mid-tier free agents they could potentially afford would be able to replace all of what these three players provide as well. These guys are being sought out because of all of the things they provide.

One final reason why they should run it back is that the Bucks need to keep these players so they have assets to offer in trades if things don’t work out. Brogdon and Middleton, in particular, are still young to in their prime, exciting assets. Even if they’re on big contracts after this summer, the Bucks will need guys like them to offer if they ever want to acquire a star from someone else via trade.

There’s a chance they never win a title with this team. Nothing is guaranteed, even if they run it back. However, given how close the Bucks were last year, and given how Middleton, Brogdon and Lopez fit the team and the system, Milwaukee should do everything they can to run their team back this summer.