Despite leading the Bucks to the NBA’s best regular-season record in each of the last two seasons, head coach Mike Budenholzer has faced criticism in the playoffs after losses to the Raptors in 2019 and Heat in 2020. In each series, there were concerns that Budenholzer was slow to make adjustments when things weren’t working and was reluctant to lean more heavily on his star players for big minutes.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Budenholzer’s job is safe heading into the 2020/21 season. Still, Charania stresses that there’s an understanding across the Bucks’ leadership group that “everyone must learn from this season and be better.” It’s probably a safe bet that Budenholzer’s seat will get a whole lot hotter in 2021 if the team’s next postseason run closely resembles the last two.
Here’s more on the Bucks from Charania:
- According to Charania, there’s an expectation among rival executives that the Bucks will focus this offseason on acquiring a play-maker and adding more shooting to the roster as they look to complement reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Chris Paul has already been cited multiple times as one possible target, but Milwaukee figures to explore many options on the trade market and in free agency.
- Starting point guard Eric Bledsoe is considered likely to become a potential trade candidate this offseason, sources tell Charania. Bledsoe, who made the All-Defensive Second Team this season, has two fully guaranteed years left on his contract at $17.5MM annually. The final year of his deal in 2022/23 is only partially guaranteed ($3.9MM of $19.4MM).
- Charania confirms that the Bucks intend to put a five-year, super-max contract extension offer on the table for Antetokounmpo as soon as the 2020/21 league year begins, which could happen in November. The value of that offer remains up in the air, since the starting salary will depend on where the ’21/22 cap lands.
OK Buck fans get ready for every bad trade idea by some homer that thinks his team can get Giannis for their bad all star that is over paid. Start of next season he will be still wearing a Bucks uniform.
Remember Mookie Betts? Nobody thought they would trade him either. But a smart GM gets what they can for a guy before he walks. It’s just good business sense. Especially for a small-market team like Milwaukee.
baseball and the NBA are 2 different things when it comes to trade. There is no salary caps in baseball.
The strategies of HC Bud does not fit the personel. CPaul fits better than Bledsoe, since Bud wants to surround Giannis with shooters, and Bledsoe likes to drive. But I wonder if replacing the HC would be easier.
Bledsoe, Lopez & Con’ton could get back to being dangerous, giving Giannis some space.
But what does Giannis want… the main issue until he extends.
I am wondering how Philly or Milwaukee will trade for Paul, given his salary both teams will have to throw in 2-3 players. Bledsoe is at least a starting point (probably have to include DJ Wilson and DiVincenzo). Not sure what else Bucks can do without a 3rd team since their picks aren’t great. Sixers fans will talk of Horford in a trade but he has negative value now (similar to CP3 last offseason).
Paul is 4th best point guard of all time
Knicks get Richardson
Thunder get Horford 27th Knox Smith And 2 Firsts from 76ers
76ers get Paul
Can’t be the 4th best point guard if you’ve never won a ring
Yes that applies to John Stockton as well
The 2nd best PG of all time never won a ring either.
And yes that applies to John Stockton
But then again Paul isn’t the 4th best off all time. I’d put him 5th.
Just don’t think Paul makes bucks that much better….they need another star desperately. They also don’t have much in young assets to line up in a trade either. Think they will try to retool around the freak with vets but he will end up walking in 2021.
It’s very hard to win when your best player is hurt and missed two games…..
Bud is a good coach. Bucks were done the moment George Hill got into the players heads and distracted them from basketball.
Bucks coach has no clue. Spoelstra schooled him. And for playoffs this mix of players. Has been exposed. Bledsoe and Brook are best candidates for trades. They need to restructure team. I would replace coach.
The issue with Giannis is same with Simmons. They are really bigs. Playing the point too much. You can’t out talent teams, or out physical them. Not good teams in playoffs. A real PG breaks them down thru schemes and vision. Not trying to out athletic them. But he can do that too. A real PG will have ball in their hands. Where they can do damage easily. He also manages the game. A real PG like CP3 always comes thru in some manner in big games. He accepts that responsibility. But he knows who his help is. Who his stars are. See what Rondo did. A real PG will always be a special piece. In the gm of basketball. Just like a big and size will always be.
You look at Heat team. Ask yourself. Who are they with Bam on bench. So so so get him foul trouble BROOK. Coach, why is he in three point line. Heat are basic without Bam. Same thing with Warriors in five yr run. Get him in foul trouble they can’t replace him. To me that is coaching. Don’t play their gm. In chess you don’t play opponents gm. You will lose all the time. You make them change or take away a strong piece. Bucks coach should be gone. Two yrs of getting outplayed in playoffs. That’s enough for me.
That’s Warriors with Dre. It’s a chess gm not checkers lols.
Everything needs to be on the table for the Bucks this offseason. They need to strongly evaluate if Budenholzer’s philosophy fits the roster. They also need to do everything they can to add another star. I like the idea of trading for Chris Paul. He would give them what they need a point guard. The big question there is how much do they need to give up in order to match salaries. If that doesn’t work out, then where do they go? Does Buddy Hield or Marcus Smart move the needle at all?
Monte Morris.