The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are in an intriguing spot heading into this next season. The Greek Freak made it known to the team that he was closely observing the roster during the offseason. He seemed indifferent toward the moves made by the Bucks: The signing of Myles Turner and the buyout of Damian Lillard.
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Eventually, Giannis let the team know that he’s ready to focus on the upcoming season, giving the impression that he believes this roster has enough to compete for a championship. But the fact that he said what he said at the beginning of the offseason shows that his patience is running thin.
Despite Giannis’ decision to stay, some analysts don’t believe the Bucks have a championship-caliber roster. Marc J. Spears was pretty blunt in writing off Milwaukee while sharing his thoughts on the team’s roster on NBA Today.
“This team is not good enough,” Spears said. He then pointed out how the Bucks don’t have the right personnel. “They don’t have the point guard needed to get to that championship level,” he added.
As of now, Kevin Porter Jr. is listed as the starting point guard for the Bucks. It’s not the best starting option in the league, but they also managed to pick up Cole Anthony. So, there is at least some depth to the position.
Regardless, the analyst couldn’t see the roster competing for a title. Not even in an injury-riddled Eastern Conference. “I just, even with the East kind of being depleted from an injury standpoint, just overall talent, no,” Spears argued.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton will be out all of next season while they rehab from torn Achilles’. Those are two of the best players on two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. With Giannis’ Bucks finishing 5th last season, below both squads, it’s not unimaginable to say that Milwaukee will move up to the 4th or 3rd seed next year.
Even if they do, though, Spears can only see them going so far. “I could see this maybe second round at best,” he added.
It was quite a negative take by Spears on the situation. He completely ignored the Greek Freak’s impact on the team. As long as Giannis is on a team, they should be viewed as a contender. He’s that good offensively and defensively.
However, if the Bucks do get bounced early on in the playoffs again, what happens then? Does Giannis run it back? Or does he request a trade?
Reports say that the New York Knicks have been tracking the situation since the beginning of last season, waiting to pounce at any moment. As of now, though, no trade request has been made from Giannis.
Despite this, trade rumors continue to swirl. That sets up a pressure-packed season for the Bucks, as they try to win a title to retain their face of the franchise.
