National Basketball Association

The Buck Stops Here Roundtable #6: Extensions, Injuries and Trades

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:50 p.m. ET

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In the latest edition of our staff roundtable series, we reflect on Giannis’ contract extension, Middleton’s hamstring injury and the Beasley trade, among other Milwaukee Bucks issues.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Last week was an emotional rollercoaster ride for Milwaukee Bucks fans. From the highs of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract extension to the lows of Khris Middleton’s hamstring injury, it had it all and raised plenty of questions heading into training camp.

To answer some of these, I was joined by site editor-in-chief Adam McGee and staff writers John Heffernon, Rohan Katti and Jordan Treske to discuss all things Milwaukee Bucks basketball for the sixth instalment of ‘The Buck Stops Here’ roundtable.

Specifically, we discussed the implications of Giannis’ four-year, $100 million contract extension and how it affects Jabari Parker’s negotiations next summer, the team’s financial flexibility and the prospect of avoiding the luxury tax in 2018.

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Subsequently, the focus shifts to Khris Middleton’s left hamstring injury which requires surgery and has him sidelined for the next six months. Here we share our thoughts on how much the loss of Middleton derails the Bucks expectations for next season before naming our preferred replacement starter at the shooting guard position.

Further, we give our views on the acquisition of Michael Beasley from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Tyler Ennis and question whether Milwaukee should make any more personnel moves to help cover Middleton’s absence for a majority of next season.

We finish with our predictions of the Milwaukee Bucks record for next season after the over/under line was adjusted to 37.5 wins (previously 39.5) following Middleton’s injury.

Read on to hear all of our answers!

As always, lets us hear your thoughts and feedback. Drop a comment below or shoot us a tweet at @BehindTheBucks.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Having come to an agreement with the Bucks to sign a four-year, $100 million contract extension, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now locked up through the 2020-2021 NBA Season. Were you surprised that the Greek Freak wasn’t given Milwaukee’s player designation which would have allowed him to sign a five-year deal at the maximum salary? Also, how does this affect the Bucks going forward, particularly in relation to Jabari Parker’s extension and avoiding the luxury tax in 2018?

John Heffernon (@Silky__Johnson_): I was really happy to see Giannis get the extension. The fact that he left a little money on the table was also really positive. Obviously we all want to have Giannis as long as possible and that might make it seem like anything less than the max five year extension is a negative. However, this extension will end when the Greak Freak is 26 and then the Bucks can sign him to a five-year max then. That way they will pay him max money for only five of the next 10 years instead of 10 of the next 11. That is a lot of money the Bucks are saving. Hopefully they use those saved funds appropriately to put the best team possible around Giannis. This extension should help Milwaukee have a better chance paying Jabari what he’s worth and avoiding the luxury tax in the next five years.

Rohan Katti: I was honestly very surprised that the Giannis wasn’t given the five-year player designation. However, that does not necessarily equate to a bad thing. By taking a little less than the max, Giannis set the precedent for extensions within the Bucks organization, which means that next year, Jabari will most likely feel inclined to take less than the max as well. Giving Giannis an extension this large also poses a deadline of sorts. Assuming the Bucks can’t avoid the luxury tax in 2018, the owners might not be so happy to pay tax for a team that is still competing for a playoff spot.

Adam McGee (@AdamMcGee11): I was surprised. More than not being prepared to pay Giannis the max now, I feel it probably comes down to fear of what the uncertain cap/CBA/potential lockout scenario could make his max deal during its duration.

Still, the extra year matters to me. The six years between now and what would have been its end date, at least in my mind, gave the Bucks every chance of getting into contention for what their timeline should be, and it would have done so without Giannis even having a sniff at speaking to another team. I just have a horrible feeling that the extra year could make a difference in terms of where this team is at when it’s time for both sides to negotiate again.

In terms of what he did actually sign for, as great as it is that Giannis took a discount, it’s been blown up to be something that it really isn’t. The discount he took is minor in context of his deal (although I understand choosing to pass up over a million per year is an impressive act of selflessness, regardless), but it’s only even more minor when put in context of the cap. It might help the owners to dodge the luxury tax down the line, but a similar discount for Jabari might only amount to a combined $2.5 million per year. You don’t even have to be paying attention to realize that gets you nothing in the NBA now, and so although the gesture is a positive one on Giannis’ part, it shouldn’t be spun into something it isn’t, as it really has little impact on their overall flexibility.

I think the problem is lying in most people assuming Giannis passed up the difference between the $130-140 million numbers once reported, to his eventual $100 million. With the indication being that designated player never really came into play, in reality, it was more like $5 million total that was passed over.

Jordan Treske (@JordanTreske): I was definitely a bit surprised that Giannis didn’t receive the designated player extension. Although giving him that distinction would have added some complications for a future extension for Jabari, it just seemed in the cards for Giannis to receive that type of deal. However, with the Bucks facing the same scenario just a year from now, coming to a deal like both sides did certainly helps to keep the team’s established players down the line. But like Adam said, while I think it does help the ownership avoid a possible luxury tax, it hardly moves the needle for their future flexibility.

Tim Wray (@TRW24): At no point this off-season did I think that Giannis’ extension as the Bucks designated franchise player was going to be anything other than a mere formality. Naturally, hearing that Giannis has signed a straight four-year deal for just under the maximum salary was quite surprising. Regardless, my feelings towards the extension were overwhelmingly positive. Although we all knew it was coming (eventually), it was an extremely proud moment to be a Bucks fan. Further, I was absolutely elated for Giannis. More than being an incredible talent on the court, he’s especially humble and has an amazing story, having travelled a truly inspirational journey from poverty in Greece to an $100 million NBA contract.

As Rohan said, I think Giannis and the Bucks front office have set a strong precedent for Jabari to sign a similar extension next summer. Unless Jabari lights up the league and becomes an All-Star calibre player next season, I can’t see the franchise player designation coming into play, especially because it wasn’t given to Giannis. On that note, I think a five-year contract at the $138-$144 maximum salary would have been on the table if Giannis’ representation had demanded that deal. Nevertheless, I agree with Adam that the uncertainty over the future salary cap and new collective bargaining agreement would have made the Bucks very hesitant. Ultimately, Giannis’ $6 million discount over four-years isn’t enough to significantly impact the Bucks financial flexibility, although it should help ownership avoid the luxury tax in the near future. However, from a fans perspective, it is an encouraging sign of Giannis’ loyalty to Milwaukee and willingness to win with the Bucks.

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Just days before training camp, Milwaukee was dealt a devastating blow with the news that Khris Middleton has been ruled out for six months with a torn left hamstring, requiring surgery. How much does the loss of Middleton to injury for a majority of the season de-rail the Bucks expectations for the 2016-17? Further, who should replace him as the primary starter at the shooting guard position?

JH: To put it bluntly, the Middleton injury really sucks for the Bucks. He is the glue that holds this team together and allows Jabari and Giannis to share the floor together. In my most recent piece I discuss how there may be an opportunity in the midst of this poorly timed injury. That opportunity is for Jabari and Giannis to truly take over the Bucks.

Who should replace Khris in the starting lineup is an interesting question. Rashad Vaughn and Malcolm Brogdon probably deserve the first crack at it. But they are both young, inexperienced, and, for lack of a better word, a total crap-shoot. If Brogdon’s college skills translate to the pros then he is the best replacement. He is the only one on the team with the three-and-D skill set that Middleton had. Only there is no way he is as good as Middleton at either of those two things in his rookie year.

RK: The injury to Khris Middleton is absolutely terrible for the Bucks. Throughout last season, he was their best player, and they were not very good without him on the court. Before the injury, the Bucks were still fighting for a playoff spot, and now it will take Giannis and Jabari taking the leap in to super stardom for the upcoming season to mean anything.

In my opinion, Malcom Brogdon should replace Khris at shooting guard. Assuming he quickly adapts to the NBA, Brogdon’s defensive prowess is what’s needed most because offensively, Giannis and Jabari should start to carry the load.

AM: Very simply, although Giannis and Jabari possess far greater potential and could comfortably surpass Middleton in his absence, on the evidence of last season, he’s currently the best player on the team. Expectations have gone out the window and instead it’s now more about what the Bucks could make of the year. This injury not only leaves a gaping hole in their starting five but disrupts rotations and shifts bench options too. Middleton is rare as his strengths lie in opposition to many of Milwaukee’s biggest weaknesses, meaning that without him there’s a possibility those weaknesses could end up further magnified.

In terms of replacements, I’m not in favor of starting a rookie who was a second round pick on opening night, no matter how experienced. As the season goes on, I’d love to see Brogdon in position to take the spot, but let’s not make him a scapegoat from day one. As bad as it was, that one extra year of experience gives Vaughn the edge for me. Vaughn’s already the scapegoat to a degree too, so in starting him I feel you’ve really got nothing to lose. I’m also not opposed to Jason Terry starting there, although I’d obviously prefer to see it used as an opportunity to nurture youth. Just please avoid a Delly-MCW starting backcourt combo.

JT: It’s an incredible blow for the Bucks’ chances this year, even though earning a possible playoff spot was hardly a guarantee. Losing the linchpin of the team right before the start of training camp certainly tempers expectations and it’s pretty easy to see the Bucks are without a player who can come close to replicating Middleton’s role and his production. With that said, I’d lean towards Brogdon to assume the starting shooting guard spot. I know that’d build lofty expectations for a second round draft pick entering his rookie season, but I really think it’s something we’ll eventually see at some point this season.

TW: Immediately after reading Shams Charania’s tweet: “Khris Middleton has suffered a torn hamstring and will undergo surgery”, my head fell into my hands, I assumed the fetal position and began to cry. To me, the Bucks’ realistic chance of making the playoffs went up in smoke. This was only reaffirmed further with the news that Middleton would miss the first five months of next season. Giannis and Jabari get most of the media spotlight, but make no mistake, there’s little doubt that Khris Middleton is Milwaukee’s best player, arguably on both ends of the floor. As Adam has pointed out, Middleton essentially patches many of the Bucks biggest weaknesses on the floor with his near-forty-percent three-point shooting and solid perimeter defense. With this in mind, it’s hard to see how the team will fill this void in production adequately for a majority of the season, assuming Khris returns for the final month of the season. Similar to Rohan, I think it’s going to take near-All-Star level seasons from Giannis and Jabari to make much of an improvement on last season’s 35 wins, and even then, Milwaukee’s poor team defense will likely be a tough hurdle to overcome.

Jason Kidd loves to experiment, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the shooting guard starting slot is constantly in flux. That being said, I think Rashad Vaughn will get the first crack at the starting job for opening night. Statistically, he’s coming off one of the worst rookie seasons in NBA history, but this should be his chance to play significant minutes, throw up shots and prove that he can be a valuable contributor for the Bucks. I also think Malcolm Brogdon will get his opportunity to start, especially given his reputation as a quality backcourt defender. I’m also not ruling out the possibility of the two-point guard lineup with Carter-Williams and Dellavedova (sorry Adam!) or Jason Terry getting some starts throughout the season.

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

To a somewhat mixed reaction among Bucks fans, the team acquired former second-overall pick, Michael Beasley from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Tyler Ennis. Are you a fan of this move, and what sort of production do you expect from Beasley next season?

JH: The Bucks bench got markedly better with this trade. The combination of Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams, Jason Terry, Mirza Teletovic, and now Michael Beasley is going to do a lot of damage to bench defenses. They might give up some points against team’s with strong interior scoring but beyond that they should be fun to watch and competitive. This was a good trade to make but, at the same time, it probably won’t move the needle much.

RK: I was happy that Tyler Ennis got moved in this deal. He wasn’t likely to see many minutes this year behind MCW and Delly, so moving him was the best option. Michael Beasely seems like he could be a decent second unit player, but playing in China until mid season last year speaks volumes for a former number two overall pick.

AM: I could say Michael Beasley is mysterious or difficult to understand, without it even being apparent that I’ve replaced his name with the Oxford English dictionary definition of an enigma. That says everything that you need to know, really.

He was fascinating to listen to on Media Day, and on top of being funny, he spoke like someone who has gained a self-awareness of his former pitfalls. I’m not ready to believe that’s actually true yet, but I’m ready to hope it is. Theoretically he could offer a scoring boost, but it really all comes down to if he can suddenly become passable defensively. Likely a member of an already suspect defensive unit, it’s good that Beasley has voiced excitement about the defensive side of the ball, but delivering on promise has always been the hardest part of the deal for him.

I’m not a fan of the deal yet, but Michael Beasley could certainly win me over if he can be who he thinks he is already. Ennis is better than everyone gives him credit for, but with limited minutes for him in Milwaukee, he was always most likely to be dealt in a trade. Unsurprising, but potentially another name who could join Norman Powell in the what could have been stakes where so many Bucks fans love to reside.

JT: (clears throat very loudly) Well, I don’t know about you, but I may have voiced my displeasure with this move very loudly shortly after it happened, not that there’s audio or written proof of that (eyes dart around). However, in the days since, my disapproval with the trade has started to wane. My feelings on Tyler Ennis aside, I understand Beasley can offer a scoring punch at a position the Bucks were light on off the bench. With that said, I just know it’ll likely be a wash, considering Beasley’s defensive deficiencies. Nonetheless, I can already feel myself coming around on Beasley, but forgive me if there are times where I stir my drink like Al Roker after watching the worst of Beasley at times throughout the season.

TW: Between Michael Beasley’s off-court reputation, terrible on/off numbers, usage rate of almost 30% and defensive struggles, I’m not the biggest fan of this move for the Bucks. Tyler Ennis was always in an extremely vulnerable position in the depth chart. The addition of Dellavedova and Terry over the off-season also made me question if he would be seeing much court time next season. Point being, I understand why Ennis was traded, I’m just not convinced sending him to Houston in exchange for Beasley was the right move. However, Milwaukee was in dire need of wing depth, especially with Middleton going down, so this does fill the bulk of the minutes at the back-up small forward position where he should take plenty of shots and provide a spark on offense with the ‘no-defense’ second unit. I’m not totally writing Beasley off, there’s no question he has talent, but if the Bucks feel they can get something useful out of him…we’ll wait and see.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The absence of Khris Middleton for a significant amount of the 2016-17 season leaves a gaping hole in Milwaukee’s rotation. Who are some potential free agency or trade targets the Bucks should be looking at to fill the void in minutes between shooting guard and small forward?

JH: If the Bucks can get ANYTHING positive in return for Greg Monroe I would do it. The problem is if they could do that it would have happened already. One thing that would be a bad idea is trading away pieces that might be useful in the future for a one year rental that may or may not replace Khris’ impact. It is very likely that a frantic trade will result in Milwaukee giving up more than they get back.

RK: J.R. Smith is the best available shooting guard in free-agency. However, the money he is commanding is much more than the Bucks can offer him. It is possible to get to the $14 million range if the Bucks salary dump Greg Monroe, but would it be worth it? Smith has played okay for the Cavaliers the last year and a half, but he has a reputation of being a bad locker room presence, which is not the best for the young core. Also, it is highly unlikely that Smith signs anywhere besides Cleveland.

AM: Echoing what John said, not panicking needs to be top priority, but that’s not to say there aren’t low risk flyers that could be worth taking. Guys like Ben McLemore, P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington all stand out to me, but they need to avoid making a deal just to make a deal. See how the season starts maybe and then go from there.

JT: I’m pretty much with John and Adam on this one. Again, finding a replacement for Khris Middleton is an impossible task and while the Bucks will now be turning to players who have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses to fill Middleton’s minutes, it’s best to see what you have within your team first before you make any decision that would affect your roster.

TW: *See Above*

There isn’t a realistic quick-fix to replace the production of Khris Middleton, so please Bucks, don’t make a rash decision.

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas released its 2016-17 season over/under win totals with the Bucks originally coming at 39.5 wins before the line dropped to 37.5 wins after news of Khris Middleton’s injury. Are you over or under and what is your predicted record for Milwaukee this season? Are the playoffs still possible, and what would it take from Giannis, Jabari and co?

JH: Dropping just two wins is pretty disrespectful to Middleton. His impact on this team has been huge in his tenure in Milwaukee and, as we all know, that impact is going to be next to impossible to replace.

I think the Bucks will be under that win total. I expect the team to win about 35 games this year. But I would love to be wrong, have the team win 40+ games and snag a low playoff seed!

RK: I’ll be optimistic and take the over at around 40 wins. I know that Khris Middleton will be impossible to replace, but I think this could be the year that Giannis and Jabari make the leap in to the realm of the superstars. I could also be totally wrong and the Bucks have a dumpster fire of a season, finding themselves having a top-three pick in next year’s draft.

AM: I’m taking the under. 30-35 seems most likely to me at present, although I can see a scenario where it turns out dramatically better and the over comes into play.

Any chance of the over relies on Giannis and Jabari breaking out and reaching new heights, that’s possible, but for everything to go right for the Bucks, they need to be firing from the beginning of the year. If they start the season well, the Bucks could really surprise people from there, but I’m of the opinion that without Middleton this team wouldn’t be able to bounce back from a slow start.

JT: If I were a betting man, I would take the under. But I’m not a betting man and I would still take the under.

I’m still acclimating to what the team’s rotation looks like without Middleton, but I would probably pencil in 31-36 wins for the Bucks right now. However, with players like Giannis and Jabari at the helm, it’s not crazy to think they take a big leap and overcome Middleton’s absence. On the other hand, the Bucks are now relying on many more other factors in order for that to happen. At this point in time, the playoffs are a possibility but boy, do a lot of things have to break the Bucks’ way to make that a reality.

TW: I don’t like to get too adventurous with my predictions, so it will come as little surprise that I’m taking the under. Initially I was right on the line at 38-40 wins, but the loss of Middleton for the majority of the season has bumped me well under the adjusted total to 33-35 wins. Unless Giannis and Jabari take another huge leap forward and can consistently play at an All-Star level every night, I just can’t see the Bucks being above .500 and in the playoff race next season.

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