Milwaukee Bucks: Kyle Korver meshing with Giannis should be a priority

As Kyle Korver looks to integrate himself with the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the 2019-20 season kicking off, the chemistry between him and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has the potential to be an incredibly explosive pairing.

One of the highlights in the Bucks’ busy offseason came well after this year’s free agency period kicked off with plenty of fireworks.

Well after they were able to retain many of their starting core free agents and make some depth additions once free agency began, the Bucks landed one of the most prolific three-point shooters in NBA history in Kyle Korver in late July after an extended process following his buyout from the Phoenix Suns earlier that month.

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Korver’s decision to come to Milwaukee fortified their summer reshuffling on the wing following the loss of Malcolm Brogdon, who now stands as a cornerstone piece for the Indiana Pacers after signing what ended up being a sign-and-trade deal between the central division rivals.

Of course, that reunited the 38-year-old with Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer as Korver and the reigning NBA Coach of the Year developed quite a bond dating to back to their respective stints with the Atlanta Hawks.

While rekindling his relationship with Budenholzer was a huge draw behind Korver’s decision to join up with the Eastern Conference runners-up from last year, it was a chance encounter in Santa Barbara with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo during Korver’s deliberation process that ultimately drove the Iowa native back to the Midwest.

And it’s that partnership that stands to be crucial to any success Korver is looking to achieve while in Milwaukee this season, given just how instrumental the reigning MVP is to everything the Bucks do and how much he has the ball in his hands.

We’ve already seen during the preseason just how explosive the duo can potentially be throughout the 2019-20 season as we’ve seen Antetokounmpo specifically hunt out for Korver when out in the open floor to decent results, such as during the Bucks’ rout over the Utah Jazz nearly two weeks ago.

As Antetokounmpo talked about following the game to Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, getting that timing and precision is key for that specific duo to thrive, and getting reps with one another on the floor will be critical in serving up the quality shots that Korver can put down with ease:

"“What I learned (Wednesday) is whenever I drive the ball, he moves,” Antetokounmpo said. “(That’s) something I didn’t know about him. When you’re in training camp, you’re not always on the same team. You don’t always get to play a lot of minutes with him. He moves … I’ve got to keep my head up and pass it so he can go get it. Because if I pass it to where he is at the time, it’s going to be a bad pass.”"

The Bucks have spent plenty of time over the last year-plus under Budenholzer looking to maximize the space Antetokounmpo sees to either drive toward the paint or kick it out to a supporting  cast of marksmen at the three-point line when that space inside the arc is shut off by opposing defenders.

Now employing that same strategy with one of the most efficient, deadeye shooters the game has ever seen, and undoubtedly the greatest shooter Antetokounmpo has ever played with, it has the makings to be a game-breaking manuever that Budenholzer can roll out for stretches over this season.

With more time and reps put in as the Bucks’ campaign kicks off in a couple of days, Antetokounmpo and Korver will both look to get the best out of their partnership, all made with their sights set on the bigger prize.