The Milwaukee Bucks have finally won their second NBA title after a half-decade of wait. And now that they’re the champions, a unique challenge awaits them in the upcoming 2021/2022 season.
Winning the first may be hard but winning two straight is so much harder, which is why this is going to be a huge offseason for the defending champions.
The trade rumours have already begun as all teams look to retool their respective lineups. And after a few days of celebration, the Bucks will be no exception.
The good news, however, is that Milwaukee’s core is quite intact as their three best players in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday are still under contract for a few more years.
But will those three be enough for the Bucks to win it all again? Read on below as SBOTOP reviews the outlook of the Bucks moving forward.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally arrived
The Greek Freak has come a long way here in the NBA. From a skinny kid selling watches and DVDs in Athens, Greece, to now an NBA champion after years of hardwork and perserverance.
After failing to meet expectations in the 2019 and 2020 playoffs to which the Bucks were touted to go to as far the NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo silenced all critics as not only did he guide his team to the championship, but he also won the Finals MVP because of his historic production.
Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the illustrious company of Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon to become the first players ever to win MVP, Defencive Player of the Year, and also the Finals MVP award.
He also became the seventh player in league history to score 50 points in the Finals and he arguably had the best closeout game ever when he had a 50-10-5 performance in Game 6.
At just 26 years of age, Giannis Antetokounmpo has an impressive CV already. And with his relentless work ethic and killer mentality, the Greek Freak should continue to dominate the league in years to come.
What are the Bucks’ needs this offseason?
No NBA roster is perfect. But if the Bucks plan on living up to their high NBA 2021 odds of repeating next season, they must continue to strengthen while maintaining their core.
One of the Bucks’ main needs is a backup point guard who can make shots and faciliate on offence.
In the upcoming NBA Draft, the 2021 champions only have the 31st pick and they have to figure out with what to do with it.
The Bucks can either add the pick into a trade package to where they can land a player who can fill their needs right away or they can choose a young project who can slowly develop in the next few seasons.
Some of the best options include West Virginia guard Miles McBride, Auburn standout Sharife Cooper, or Illinois playmaker Ayo Dosunmu, while Nah’Shon Hyland, Joshua Primo, and Josh Christopher all intriguing talents as well.
On the other hand, Milwaukee must also address their own set of upcoming free agents.
Bobby Portis and Bryn Forbes have player options and both can opt out to find better deals, while Jeff Teague, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Axel Toupane, and PJ Tucker are all set to become unrestricted free agents. Justin Jackson, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent.
PJ Tucker will be coveted by contending teams, but he and Bobby Portis are reportedly expected to run it back with the Bucks.
On the flip side, because of their title run, Milwaukee should become a very attractive destination for free agents and maybe they can get an additional veteran or two.
The Bucks have a tough road ahead
Being the defending champions, the Bucks are clearly the team to beat in the 2021/2022 season.
With their star trio of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo locked in for the foreseeable future, the Bucks have a strong foundation to which they can contend for titles in the next few years.
However, assuming every other team will get healthier next season, the road for a repeat will be an arduous one for Milwaukee.
The Nets, Lakers, Clippers, and the Suns are all coming out for vengeance while several other clubs are capable of producing NBA 2021 highlights to beat them on any given day.
But in the end, it will be hard to bet against Giannis Antetokounmpo as he is just approaching at his prime.
The Bucks’ title hopes will rest heavy on the Greek Freak’s shoulders, and it will take another otherworldly effort from him to bring Milwaukee back to the promise land next season.
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