Bucks are reportedly exploring Brook Lopez trades in search of a reinvention that may not even be possible

The Milwaukee Bucks have spent the past year or so doing everything in their power to stop being the Milwaukee Bucks. Mike Budenholzer, the architect of the four-out offense and drop-coverage defense that took them from .500 to a championship, was fired after a first-round loss to the Miami Heat and replaced by Adrian Griffin, who was determined to reinvent the Bucks as a faster, more versatile team. The defense took another hit when Jrue Holiday was swapped out for Damian Lillard, theoretically fixing the half-court offensive woes that had plagued Milwaukee through previous playoff runs at the expense of the identity Milwaukee had spent years cultivating.

And now, according to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, they are “gauging the trade value for Brook Lopez.” The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor hinted at why when he wrote that “there are rumblings that the bucks would like to play a more versatile style of defense next season.” Budenholzer built the system. Holiday supercharged it. But Lopez, perhaps more than any other Buck besides Giannis Antetokounmpo, made it possible.

Milwaukee needed a center who could shoot 3-pointers to properly space the floor for Antetokounmpo. Lopez was slowly growing into that sort of big man before arriving in Milwaukee, and he got there fully once he joined the Bucks. His defense was the major surprise. After years as a defensive liability, Budenholzer’s system turned Lopez into a nearly stationary rim-protector. He thrived in that role thanks to his sturdy frame, long wingspan and under-appreciated basketball IQ, which combined made the rim all but impenetrable. Antetokounmpo could then function as a weak-side help defender and wreck havoc everywhere else. The Bucks perpetually ranked among the NBA’s best defenses. Throw in Lopez’s ability to function as an offensive hub in the post when Antetokounmpo rested or got hurt and he was effectively the perfect Bucks center.

The Bucks might find another big man who can shoot. They might find another big man who can protect the rim like he can. The odds of finding one who can do both…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks-are-reportedly-exploring-brook-lopez-trades-in-search-of-a-reinvention-that-may-not-even-be-possible/

Author : Sam Quinn

Publish date : 2024-06-23 14:01:52

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