5 Increasingly desperate moves Bucks should make to keep Giannis happy
By Tyler Watts
The Milwaukee Bucks could have a Giannis Antetokounmpo problem next summer after the Greek Freak made it clear no extension was coming in a recent New York Times interview. He wants the entire organization to be all-in on winning a championship, and the future is a bit uncertain in Cream City.
The Bucks re-signed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez this summer to stay in contention. They had to do it, but three of their four best players are now in their mid-30s. Milwaukee does not have much wiggle room, either. They are just under the second tax apron and cannot get maximum returns on their aging talent.
The Bucks must do whatever possible to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. That includes finding a way to get younger or making an all-in move to upgrade their roster. Signing a role player won’t cut it. It is time to get bold, which could force Milwaukee to make a move they regret for years.
Increasingly desperate moves Milwaukee Bucks should make to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy
5. Trade for Malcolm Brogdon
The Bucks found a gem in the second round of the 2016 draft when they selected Brogdon 36th overall. He won Rookie of the Year and quickly transformed into a key piece in Milwaukee. Brogdon averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 28.6 minutes per game in 2019 and helped the Bucks reach the conference finals. He was injured in March but returned for the closeout game against Boston in the second round.
Brogdon departed in free agency just after that run. Giannis was not happy (subscription required), and it forced him to start pitching role players to join him. Could his relationship with Brogdon lead to a reunion?
The Celtics shopped Malcolm Brogdon this summer and will again before the trade deadline. Boston is trying to cut spending and maximize their title odds.
Could the Bucks find the pieces to add the 6’5 guard? He is 31 years old but could give Milwaukee arguably the best starting five in the league. It would be a risk and a difficult sell convincing Boston to take multiple pieces for Brogdon, but the Milwaukee Bucks are not keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo long-term without being bold.