Rumors continue to swirl around the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo following his latest injury. These will not go away, but the team's path for the rest of the season is clear. With them having a valuable first-round pick, they should look to regroup in the offseason.
Bucks should make the tough call and look to the offseason
The discussion around tanking is always a difficult one to have, particularly when you have one of the best players in the game. Giannis also doesn't seem like the kind of player who would be happy to sit out games for the team to lose games and get a higher draft pick. This injury puts even more value on the first-round pick the Bucks own, which is the least favorable of them and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Milwaukee is now 3-12 without Giannis following Tuesday night's defeat to the Sixers. Giannis is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, so around 15 games, depending on his return. If the Bucks keep this form, they will be sitting at a 21-39 record, giving them an even bigger mountain to climb to fight back into the playoff spots if that is still the goal.
That draft pick is currently sitting at seventh in the draft lottery odds, which can bring in a very talented player in what is a strong draft class. If the front office wanted to, that could also be used as a trade asset to bring in another player depending on who is on the market come the offseason.
Another huge reason to take a step back this season is from the night of the draft, their tradeable first-round picks increase from one (2031 or 2032) to three (2026, 2031, and 2033), giving them more assets to move should they feel there is someone that can change the tide for next season.
Right now, there is no move for the Bucks can bring this team into contention. They have struggled of late, even with Giannis on the court. There are moves for big names such as Ja Morant or Zach LaVine, with smaller moves to build out the depth, but nothing stands out to turn this team into a serious contender in what is still a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Perhaps the biggest question that there has been a lot of noise about lately is the Bucks needing an answer from Giannis and what he wants to do about his future. The conversation does become very repetitive and frustrating to hear, but Giannis cannot sign the extension until October 1, so the front office will want an answer as to what he plans to do, as that will ultimately dictate the entire offseason.
The Milwaukee Bucks last missed the playoffs in the 2015-16 season. It is hard to see a team led by Giannis taking a step back and having to look towards the offseason, but that is the best way for the Bucks, looking forward with what will likely be a high draft pick on their hands.