Post#157 » by tydett » Thu Jan 16, 2025 1:52 pm
Let me preface by saying I actually really like everyone on the Bucks' roster. There's high quality character and comradery that you don't always guarantee in the NBA. They're easy to root for, and fun and look pretty when they're on. In a perfect world, they'd all play their entire careers for the Bucks, and would be ready to retire when it became clear they couldn't push it any more.
That being said, the toughest aspect of sports management is that loyalty is a killer. When Khris first signed his big extension about 7 years ago, I was worried he might get hurt again (think this was right around when his hamstring came off the bone or whatever) and not justify it. Thankfully I was wrong and stupid. But assuming that Khris is gonna continue to be the same guy he's been when he's on the wrong side of 30 and every fall carries with it the mileage of a 12 year career riddled with unfortunate injuries is what gets GMs fired and sinks teams. I do hope he can continue to be that guy, but if the FO doesn't think it's possible, then they have to look to try and seize upon whatever asset is left in the perception of Midds. The unique nature of having two superstars means they can't just flip Khris to a contending team, so you're left looking at unattractive options like Butler.
I'm ambivalent. I don't like that Jimmy has never left an organization on good terms ("a consummate amateur," as the late Norm might call him), and he's even more on the wrong side of 35, but the nature of Khris' injuries I can understand causing a team to be wary. I don't want it to happen, but I also don't want this team to be paying Middleton 20% of the cap to play 40 games a year for the next 4 years because he was once a great player for us. ****'s tough.