On the eve of the NBA draft, roughly three months removed from a disappointing playoff series loss to the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks rocked the NBA. In the snap of a finger, the Bucks acquired a pair of instant starters – all-star guard Jrue Holiday and sharp-shooting wing Bogdan Bogdanovich – in two separate trades.
The Price: 5 players and 3 first round draft picks.
The Message: We’re all in.
Whether or not you, or me, or the rest of the league buys the Bucks message is irrelevant. The only person who needs to buy what the Bucks are selling is two-time reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis has a deadline of December 21 to sign a 5-year supermax contract that will exceed $225 million dollars. If Giannis chooses not to sign, he will be in line to become an unrestricted free agent following the upcoming season.
Following the trades, the Bucks still have a maximum of eight roster spots to fill over the next three weeks. Each of the remaining moves made will be run through the same filter as the blockbuster trades: Will this help us keep Giannis?
It’s the only question that needs answering, and the required answer is “yes”.