The next day for the Bucks: The confident Giannis, the free Thanasis and the… doubtful Budenholzer

A season that gave rise to many expectations after securing the best record in the NBA ended in infamy for the Bucks. THE shutout by the Heat in the first round 4-1 it shocked the entire organization and failure is a given, even if Giannis Antetokounmpo or Mike Budenholzer “interpret” it differently.

The next few months will be of particular interest for the entire organization, which after the 2021 championship is on the decline, as it was eliminated in the East semifinals last year by the Celtics and this year bye one round early.

Perhaps the main question mark has to do with the team’s coach. THE coach “Bud” he does have a contract, but there have been quite a few murmurs about his work. Even Giannis Antetokounmpo’s statements about insufficient adjustments in dealing with Jimmy Butler or not entrusting the defense on him to the Greek Freak himself show that the trust in the coach who completed five years in the team has already been shaken.

There are also several question marks about the roster. THE John Antetokounmpo he’s under contract for two more seasons and an option for a third, so he’s not… budging. With a deal for next year also committed are Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and rookie Marjon Beauchamp. THE Chris Middleton has options himself to stay one more year for $40.9 million, but it’s not 100% certain he’ll stay. Alternate guard Jevon Carter, who “disappeared” in the playoffs, also has an option for +1.

All other players are free. In this category belong starter Brook Lopez, veterans Jae Crowder and Goran Dragic who were acquired for the playoffs but did not help, Joe Ingles who barely resembled the player he was before he was seriously injured with the Jazz, … honest Wes Matthews, but also Thanasis Antetokounmpo. The international forward, who this year had a contract of 1.8 million dollars, it is unknown what he will do. However, this year he only had a role in indifferent games or matches that had been decided, while there were also several whispers about whether he deserves a spot on the roster. His priority, as it turns out, is to remain in the NBA and preferably with the Bucks, but he would certainly like a bigger role himself.

Surely there will be, well, changes, maybe on the bench, but definitely on the roster. After all, it would be absurd to stick to a recipe that has failed. Let alone when the Bucks’ roster was the oldest in the entire NBA this year and even the core members are well into their 30s (33 Holliday, 32 Middleton, 35 Lopez)… Some are talking about something like the end of the era for the team that took the championship in 2021 and emphasize the need for changes that will bring a wind of renewal to the team. After all, with Giannis Antetokounmpo turning 29 in December, the franchise must make the necessary moves to capitalize on the prime of what many consider the best player in the NBA.