Despite a disappointing ending in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks still enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign in 2018-19. Coach Mike Budenholzer was stellar all season and the franchise did an excellent job putting the appropriate auxiliary pieces around franchise centerpiece and MVP-favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The key to their system was shooting, as Giannis’ ability to get into the lane set his teammates up with consistently open looks. However, the Bucks will have some pressing decisions to make in free agency this summer. One of the contracts coming off the books belongs to Brook Lopez, a player they are making a priority according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
Milwaukee also will need to choose among Mirotic, Hill and Lopez. It is unlikely that all three will be retained.
Re-signing Lopez, league sources said, is a priority.
Of course, Brook Lopez was imperative towards the success Milwaukee enjoyed this season. His ability and willingness to stretch the floor and launch from 3-point range is a valuable asset for this Bucks team. However, keeping him won’t be easy with so many other decisions to make.
The Bucks just inked Eric Bledsoe to a deal last summer and now will likely have to pay both Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon. Middleton will likely demand a max and Brogdon certainly won’t come cheap either. Not to mention the contracts of veterans such as Nikola Mirotic and George Hill are also expiring.
However, if the Bucks truly perceive Brook Lopez as one of their priorities this summer, they’ll make sure he gets a new deal. Of course, the Bucks could’ve come back even stronger next season if they were able to add a star in free agency but it’s looking like it’ll be tough for them to even retain most of their key pieces.
