Bucks preparing to make significant change in leadership?
In the aftermath of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks' stunning upset loss to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the opening round of the playoffs, the franchise may be preparing to make a significant change in leadership.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, head coach Mike Budenholzer could be on the chopping block in Milwaukee after the team came up woefully short of expectations this season.
"There are questions across the organization, locker room, throughout this franchise about his status moving forward," Charania said via The Rally.
Budenholzer has two years remaining on his contract with the Bucks, but despite leading the team to an NBA title only two seasons ago, a revamped ownership group may be ready to move on. Milwaukee's loss in the playoffs wasn't ordinary, and negative vibes surrounding the team may only improve if there's some turnover within the organization.
Charania categorized the situation as the "first big decision" on the plate of co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam.
"I think overall, there's a feeling of shock, feeling of embarrassment among players because this is not where this season was supposed to end," Charania said.
Charania indicated that many are pointing the finger at Budenholzer for failing to make defensive adjustments against Jimmy Butler, who averaged 37.6 points over the five games against the Bucks.
After the Heat eliminated the Bucks, star Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke about the team's lack of adjustments, particularly against Butler, adding that he wished he had a more prominent role in stopping him.
Even without their MVP in the lineup for basically three of the five games against the Heat, falling to an eighth seed after posting the best record in the NBA during the regular season isn't a good look for the Bucks, no matter how you slice it.
After an abrupt end to such a promising season, it's hard to believe that the Bucks could simply run it back next season as if their loss to the Heat was merely an aberration. While there's likely to be some shuffling on the roster, the Bucks probably won't part ways with any of their big pieces, which leaves only Budenholzer.
Whatever the Bucks decide to do to right the wrongs of their lost season, it's bound to be an interesting offseason in Milwaukee.
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