NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks brass are set to meet soon to discuss the future of the franchise. Among the prominent talking points during a franchise-defining meeting should be the team looking to embrace a new style of play and if general manager Jon Horst can surround Giannis with the proper pieces to make it work.
Late in the season, basically all of Milwaukee's success came when they went with their smaller, more athletic lineups. In today's NBA, you need to be more athletic, mobile and speedy to get up and down the court in a hurry. Injuries played a part for sure, but that was a major disadvantage the Bucks had in their back-to-back playoff losses to the uber-athletic Indiana Pacers.
Change is needed if the Milwaukee Bucks want to make it clear to Giannis Antetokounmpo that they can win at the highest level.
Horst must tackle a tough roster retooling for the Bucks
Not only will the players matter, but the person putting them on the floor does as well. Doc Rivers will inevitably pop up in this meeting regarding whether the two parties believe he's the best tactician for this team moving forward. It is telling that it took until the Bucks were down 1-3 in the playoffs for him to make an obvious starting five adjustment; there are plenty of other questions looming over him.
Going in another direction at coach would put more on Horst's plate, but if both sides feel like it's the best way forward, the former Executive of the Year must not shy away from pressure.
Roster-wise, the good news is that Horst is set to have the most flexibility he's had in a very long time. Whether it's the midlevel exception, trade exception or picks to trade, the Bucks can make some calls this offseason to make their roster much better. With only four players currently under contract, there is a chance that legitimate changes may be on the horizon.
Every move should revolve around the Bucks catching up with the rest of the NBA in terms of being more athletic. Giannis needs players to get out in transition with him. Another high-flying rebounder could take pressure off the Greek Freak. Horst should add as many versatile, switchable defenders as he possibly can. That type of roster is how the Milwaukee Bucks can maximize their superstar's prime.
If Horst can make it clear to Giannis that he will surround him with this type of talent, he can possibly calm fears about the star forward exploring other options. If not, it wouldn't be surprising if Giannis looked across the league and saw younger, quicker teams that could present a better situation. The ball is in the Bucks' court.
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