It’s tough when you get knocked out of a competition because of something that couldn’t be controlled. In the case of the Milwaukee Bucks, one of the main reasons they’re at home while the Boston Celtics compete for the NBA Finals is simple: Khris Middleton’s injury. It’s no excuse for losing the series, but it drastically shifts how the team could – and should – approach the task of retooling the roster this offseason.
The Bucks are still contenders. A healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo all but guarantees that status, and when he’s flanked by guys like Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez, Milwaukee really has no good reason to not be considered a favorite when next season rolls around.