While the Bucks front office debates million-dollar decisions and complex roster moves after the December cut-off, their simplest call is staring them right in the face. AJ Green's extension should be a formality at this point.
This isn't about imagined potential anymore. The evidence has been staring us in the face all season long, and the undeniable fact is that Green has already shown he belongs. The kid defends at an NBA level, spaces the floor exactly how modern basketball demands, and doesn't need the ball in his hands to impact winning.
Add to that the fact that he can make tough shots over elite defenders, and it's clear he's followed the blueprint for role players who last a decade in this league.
So let's nip it in the bud: the Milwaukee Bucks more than likely extend him because he defends well and fits really well next to Giannis as an elite floor-spacer. It's that simple. When you find a young player who makes Giannis better while costing almost nothing, you lock him up before other teams start sniffing around.
AJ Green more than deserves his extension at this point
It's reminiscent of how the Bucks also waited to extend Ryan Rollins. He was a player who scored well (though not at the level of Green), defended well, and made plays well. And more importantly, he was a player who showed he wanted to be here and win here.
Green's shooting numbers tell the story Milwaukee needs to hear. He made 42.7 percent of his attempts from distance en route to an efficient 7.4 points per game. He's already proven he can knock down a litany of shots at a high percentage, and his release is quick enough to punish defenses that help off him. That's exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks have been missing for years: reliable shooting from guys who don't need plays drawn up for them.
The defensive side is what makes this a no-brainer, though. Green doesn't get lost in rotations, he communicates well, and he's got the size to guard multiple positions. Milwaukee's defense improves when he's on the floor, which is rare for players as young as Green. It's why Doc Rivers trusted him enough to play him 22.7 minutes a night.
In case you need convincing: according to Cleaning the Glass, opponents shot -6.6 points fewer whenever Green was on the floor. That puts the 6-foot-4 wing in the 92nd percentile among other players in his position. So that's not to say that he's a capable or above-average defender. It means he's elite.
This extension represents something bigger than just one player contract. It's proof of the Bucks' new youth-first approach actually working. Instead of chasing aging veterans and hoping they have something left, Milwaukee is investing in players who fit their timeline and system.
Green's deal won't break the bank, but it could be the foundation for sustainable success. These are the moves championship teams make—identifying value early and locking it up before it gets expensive.
The hardest part about this decision is that there really isn't a decision to make. Green has earned his extension; Milwaukee needs what he provides, and the price is right. Sometimes, the best moves are the obvious ones.