Bucks pitching Giannis Antetokounmpo on more of the same

After another disappointing season, the Milwaukee Bucks are at risk of losing Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP has made his desire to compete for championships abundantly clear. Unfortunately for the Bucks, they're not currently constructed to be among the league's elite.

Antetokounmpo is rumored to be considering his options. He could choose to request a trade and try his luck elsewhere. Of course, the Bucks will do everything in their power to convince the superstar he can still achieve his goals with the franchise.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Milwaukee's sales pitch is that Giannis will have a bigger on-ball role moving forward.

"One thing that they have pitched him on is having the ball in his hands a lot more next season," Charania said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." "...I don’t think there’s going to be any surprise if Thanasis Antetokounmpo might be on this team again. But they’re telling Giannis: we’ll give you more control, more touches, more creation responsibility. They believe they can compete in the Eastern Conference."

Antetokounmpo finished last season averaging 83.7 touches per game, second on the team only to Damian Lillard's 85.9. Touches are a key indicator of a player's playmaking role and define a player's importance in terms of on-ball creation. Clearly, Antetokounmpo is already dominating the rock at a high rate.

Furthermore, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in usage rate, which is a calculation of offensive possessions ended by shooting, turning the ball over or generating an assist. That means Giannis completed Milwaukee's offensive possessions on 36.2% of the time he was on the floor. Lillard, Milwaukee's second option, had a 30.1% usage rate. 

So, what are the Bucks offering Giannis? Isn't a bigger on-ball role just more of the same?

Rather than trying to force-feed an already high-usage, high-touch player even more reps, Milwaukee should be searching for floor-spacers and slashers. Antetokounmpo needs more tools around him. Otherwise, the additional possessions will just be more wear and tear on his aging body. 

Sure, on the surface, more on-ball time sounds great. Yet, what that really means is Milwaukee wants to ask even more of Antetokounmpo without giving him the help he needs. If that is all the front office has to offer, he would be better served hopping a flight out of town. 

Antetokounmpo has shown great loyalty to the Bucks. However, no one can blame him if he chooses to end his relationship with the team. It's clear it is currently floundering without a defined blueprint toward success.