The Milwaukee Bucks signed Myles Turner in free agency by waiving and stretching Damian Lillard in a stunning move with significant Giannis Antetokounmpo ripple effects. Just minutes after it was announced, the Bucks star was rumored to be unhappy with the decision. How does general manager Jon Horst make this blockbuster move without knowing if the Greek Freak is on board?
Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks has caused much speculation this offseason. He wants to compete for championships, and this move increases their odds short and long term. Turner is in his prime and a stretch five. It would seemingly make Giannis happy, but he clearly enjoyed playing with Dame and did not want to see the star brutally dumped.
How does Horst not speak to Giannis first? If this move causes the Greek Freak to request a trade, it will go down as the worst transaction in franchise history. All fans should be wondering what Horst was thinking.
Jon Horst’s brain-dead move may have just ruined the Bucks
Horst has kept Giannis happy in Milwaukee with two blockbuster trades. Acquiring Jrue Holiday helped them win a championship, and Horst flipped him for Lillard when Antetokounmpo applied more pressure. The Bucks front office has never been afraid to be bold in building around Giannis, but his happiness should be the team’s top priority, especially in these uncertain moments.
Myles Turner is an upgrade over Brook Lopez at the five. He shot over 39 percent from 3-point range last season and just helped the Pacers reach the NBA Finals. Stealing him from a rival who eliminated them from the playoffs should be a moment of excitement for Bucks fans, especially when the front office looked back into a corner. Giannis ruined that just moments after the deal was announced.
Horst is doing whatever he can to improve their roster given his limited assets. They re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, Jericho Sims, and Gary Trent Jr. while adding Turner and Gary Harris. The Bucks know Giannis wants to chase a ring, and the franchise is doing whatever possible to make that a reality.
At the end of the day, the superstar’s happiness is most important to the Bucks. They are not a contender and have one of the bleakest futures in the NBA if Giannis demands a trade. Horst completely missed the mark with the Turner move for this reason alone.
The Milwaukee Bucks have work to do. They must find a way to make Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and start integrating him with Turner. This could be one of the best frontcourts in the NBA if they mesh. Jon Horst has to make that happen or it will be a doomsday scenario in Milwaukee.