The Bucks' $108 million contract signing has been labeled 'reckless'.

Billy Heyen

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Bucks' $108 million contract signing called 'reckless' image

TL;DR

  • Milwaukee Bucks aim to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with talent, even at high cost.
  • Bucks' plan to waive Damian Lillard for Myles Turner's large contract is questioned.
  • Myles Turner's skills complement Antetokounmpo, but he is not considered a star.
  • Securing Turner is an expensive acquisition that may not yield desired results.

The Milwaukee Bucks' plan has been quite simple and obvious.

Whatever the cost, they have to find a way to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with talent.

Even if that means giving Myles Turner $108 million.

The Bucks acquired a running mate for Giannis this offseason, a decision that Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley has characterized as imprudent.

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Here's how Buckley explained his thinking:

Given the Bucks' constant concern that Giannis Antetokounmpo might opt for a change at any moment, they must be proactive in enhancing the team's roster surrounding him.

However, there's a distinction between being aggressive and being reckless. The current two-step strategy of waiving Damian Lillard and disregarding the $113 million he's still owed to offer Myles Turner a four-year, $108.9 million contract appears to be an extreme example of the latter.

Turner's a dependable player, and his rare combination of shot-blocking and shot-making complements Antetokounmpo exceptionally well. However, Turner isn't a star and has never been perceived as such. Therefore, placing such a significant wager on him always seemed like a risky proposition.

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He makes some good points.

Concurrently, market forces frequently determine such matters. The Bucks certainly didn't overpay Turner beyond his market worth, and their decision to secure him suggests they might have enhanced the offer slightly to finalize the agreement.

Turner's a decent player and should continue to be reliable for some time. However, it's a rather expensive acquisition that might not yield good results eventually.

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Senior Editor