As contract extension talks linger in the background, every day that goes by without an agreement gives AJ Green more time to increase his value. In the Milwaukee Bucks' recent preseason game against the visiting Detroit Pistons, Green showed exactly why the team needs to lock him down for the next several years as soon as possible or risk paying him a lot more.
AJ Green's value to the Milwaukee Bucks is undeniable
Doc Rivers and the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks members have made it clear that they want to be one of the best long-range shooting teams in the league next season. With that in mind, AJ Green will see plenty of time, giving him a chance to flourish. One would think the Bucks would want to lock him up on a long-term deal before then due to the inevitable rising cost, but that hasn't been the case.
In just his second preseason game, Green already proved how valuable he will be in this new system. Against Detroit, he finished with 22 points, shooting a blistering 5-of-5 from downtown and 7-of-7 on his free throws. He literally could not miss, which played a significant part in Milwaukee's ability to claw back into this game after trailing by plenty.
That's the type of player Green is. He's one of the best shooters in the entire NBA, and having him secured for the foreseeable future feels like a no-brainer for a team whose superstar depends on having perimeter shooting around him. Green can go off for 22 points in a game without the floor spacing created by Giannis Antetokounmpo; imagine what he could do with him for a whole year.
While Green is a tremendous shooter, he's not a one-trick pony. He's developed beyond just a shooter and is becoming a well-rounded player. He rebounds, passes, and, perhaps the most overlooked part of his game, plays stellar defense against big-time matchups. He's the ideal role player for this team and will undeniably be a vital cog in this rotation.
There's no telling what the holdup is in contract talks. Maybe Green wants to hold out because he knows he can earn a bigger deal, especially if he keeps playing like this. Either way, the Bucks need him to remain with the franchise. He's one of the few young success stories they have, and he fits with this franchise like a glove.
When it's time to pay up, the Milwaukee Bucks may wish they got this done much sooner.
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