Highlights from Jim O’s AMA.
RE meeting:
All I'll say about that is Giannis annually meets with Horst in the offseason. There are never "official" that comes out about those meetings.
I can't speak to what Chris heard/knew/said.
RE Bucks’ limited resources and a “gap year”:
They have more resources this summer than any since 2020, so I expect Jon Horst to do some things to bring some quality players.
That said, is that a "gap" year? If the Bucks win 50-53 games next year they could be the 2-seed, 3-seed?
The definition of "title contender" has changed, IMO. If you're a top three seed (or heck, the Pacers have been the 4th and 5th seeds the last two years), there is a good chance to get to a conference final.
I think as the season ended and you zoom out, the East looks even weaker - even with Detroit and Orlando presumably being "better." Those teams play in a way that the Bucks can handle. I would argue Cleveland does, too. So it's really just NY and IND as the teams that are (currently) poor playoff matchups.
Now, to "better for future seasons" -- I think all of what I outlined above would also set them up for the summer of '26 with more options.
In my opinion, if they win 50-53 games and are a top 3 seed, Giannis signs another extension in the summer of '26 and that is likely the main goal of the next year.
RE Giannis asking out:
You're assuming that he wants to move AND that ownership is cool with that....
Ya, it's Horst and the front office's literal job to have five-year plans, with all scenarios. In terms of what those scenarios are, you'll never know -- unless they choose to reveal it, like when they talked about their long-running hope to get Lillard.
Hate to say it, there is no trade package that helps Milwaukee unless they get Joker or Wemby.
RE Doc and Giannis relationship:
I can't pretend to know the ins and outs of their day-to-day, but let's be real - Rivers has what, two years left? This coming season is a big one for all involved. Giannis wants to see the team get back to 50+ wins and advance out of the first round. Rivers was hired to get this team to the finals. If that isn't done...I don't think it matters how they feel about it each other.
RE Haslem:
Objectively speaking, Bucks fans should be thrilled to have an owner like Haslam paired with Edens. Lasry was getting very tired of spending money (particularly on the taxes, and has said as much). Haslam DGAF. Neither does Edens -- so they act like a "big market" ownership group.
I don't think he was ever considered a silent partner - not for $800 million. But Wes Edens is the governor and had almost a decade of experience in the NBA, so the Haslams definitely took a backseat in terms of that. But they for sure have a voice. They pay the tax bill, too.
I think any decision has his sign off - trading for Lillard, paying the massive tax bills, paying coaches not to coach (hiring other coaches), etc. But Edens has the final final say.
RE Ajax:
Man, Eric Nehm and I asked Doc about this all second half the season and Doc would just not say - but he clearly didn't like AJJ. As soon as KPJ was traded for, that was it for Andre.
RE Bobby:
I wrote early on I thought Bobby would be a S&T candidate after an opt-out. But the more I'm hearing is he may be more likely to opt-in
RE rumors about draft workouts of top guys:
I heard that as well -- I cannot see any reason why those guys would work out for the Bucks as a "just in case." Now, almost all agencies hold a pro day, so could the Bucks fly out to those days and try to get an extra look, or maybe get an individual workout on their terms? Maybe? If that's happening it would be kept on the DL of DLs from all involved.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MkeBucks/comments/1kyapfo/im_jim_owczarski_milwaukee_bucks_beat_writer_for/
