I'd like to see Milwaukee rein Giannis in a little bit. Make him more of a 20ppg threat than a 25-30ppg threat. Force the ball to move more. Allow players like Bledsoe, Middleton and Jabari Parker more opportunities to express themselves.
I don't think Giannis has the game (skill level) to constructively score 25-30ppg. His scoring arsenal is too limited. He needs to have a jump-shot to go to that next level as an elite scorer (25-30ppg). I think forcing him to that level before he is ready is having a destructive influence on Miwaukee's team. Forcing the team out of offensive rhythm because Giannis has to over-do things to try and get his drive to the basket because of he is unable to hit any type of jump-shot (midrange, long two or 3 pointer) with any consistency.
I'd like to see Giannis concentrate more on being a defensive presence, continue his progression as a double digit rebounder and improve his team offense as a facilitator for others. Not always playmaking assist-type passes but involving others. Getting the offense moving. Using his threat of ball-handling and quickness to get the ball moving quicker. Be a 20-10-5 all-defense type presence. Develop those Scottie Pippen type skills. Then further Giannis' scoring development when he develops a passable jump-shot.
The Bucks players by and large just aren't good enough though. They don't fit well around Giannis. They need a team with high level shooters. And I'm really not sure what else you think Middleton and Bledsoe are capable of doing as they went for 20 and 18 this year with Giannis at 26. Sure you drop a few points from Giannis and Brogdon or Parker might get a few more looks, but why would you take shots away from your most efficient scorer and give them to 4th and 5th options. It just doesn't make sense.
The Bucks, quite simply need to rework their team and build a team more suited for Giannis. Henson, Zeller, and Maker are terrible fits at center and only Snell and Teletovic (who played 10 games before going down) were high level shooters. I mean imagine how much different the Bucks look if they were starting Love and Korver next to Giannis. Just much better fits offensively, which is the Bucks real problem.
I agree with this. The Bucks' roster is just poorly constructed which makes it easy to harp on Giannis' inability to consistently hit a shot outside of 15 ft. He's an outstanding player with very few holes outside of his jumper. He's made incredible strides since he came into the league and looks like he is poised to be one of the top 5 players in the league for the next 10+ years. I think his potential is only limited by the pieces that are out around him. Middleton is a good player but he really has no all-star caliber players around him.
The Cavs have Korver, Love and other guys like Smith, etc. around LeBron. Even the 76ers have Reddick and a couple other guys that hide Simmons' weaknesses. The Bucks have Giannis, Middleton, and whatever passes as Eric Bledsoe these days. If management gets a decent coach and a couple shooters the Bucks will be well poised for the future.
Could MIL think about swinging a trade for Kawhi Leonard? Idk what pieces they'd need to give up to get salary to work and such, but maybe they can flip Middleton, another salary piece and some future picks FOR Kawhi.
Then you have two Top-10 players in Kawhi and Giannis to build around, and likely still have pieces like Brogdon, Maker, etc.
Now MIL may still have to find a quality star-PG if they don't believe in Bledsoe (which I don't think they do), but once they identify one, they can be a contender.
OR actually, I think Bledsoe + salary + picks works, but idk if Spurs do that (they'd definitely prefer Middleton I believe).
It would probably take Brogdon and Maker along with Middleton before the Spurs would even consider it.
I think Kevin Love would make a lot of sense as well (and if James leaves Cleveland I can totally see the Cavs moving on from Love). Lots of potential trades there in that scenario.
McCollum is the other guy that might be available that would make some sense for both teams. Middleton, Henson, Zeller, 1st for McCollum, Leonard. Bucks then re-sign Parker so they would be Bledsoe, McCollum, Parker, Giannis, Leonard with Brogdon, Snell, Delly, Wilson, Maker. I think that team makes a lot more sense and is a much better fitting unit. For the Blazers they get some salary relief and still field a quality team around Lillard.