The Milwaukee Bucks face a critical offseason in which they will hire a new head coach after parting ways with Mike Budenholzer while also contending with the free agencies of Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton. Those decisions could impact the extension decision Giannis Antetokounmpo faces in September.
“There is no indication he has given that he wants to leave,” said Brian Windhorst on First Take. “But if he doesn’t extend, it’s a major red flag for what’s going on with the organization. He’s going to sit there and watch whether they’re going to sign Lopez and Middleton and I’m not sure they’re going to be able to do it.”
Milwaukee not only will have a high payroll if they keep Lopez and Middleton, but they will also have an exorbitant luxury tax bill with the repeater tax.
“That uncertainity is what the league is watching right now,” added Windhorst.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen and that uncertainity is one of the biggest storylines in the NBA.”
Windhorst also points to the sale of a portion of the Bucks by Marc Lasry to Jimmy Haslam as an indicator of potential issues the franchise has in keeping their championship core together long-term.