Not less than Milwaukee Bucks followers can say that the Haslems aren’t penny-pinchers. Jimmy and Dee purchased their manner into the NBA final spring once they bought former franchise co-owner Marc Lasry’s share. Since then, two Bucks head coaches have been fired and their most up-to-date rent is without doubt one of the most well-known veterans within the NBA — Doc Rivers.
He is not going to be within the sales space with Mike Breen and Doris Burke for the 2024 NBA Finals. As a substitute, he will likely be attempting to guide the Bucks to the franchise’s second NBA Championship. Rivers will likely be doing so whereas persevering with to construct generational wealth. The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that his contract with the Bucks lasts via the 2026-27 season and can pay him within the neighborhood of $40 million. This, whereas the Bucks nonetheless owe Mike Budenholzer and the not too long ago fired Adrian Griffin cash for the following three and a half years.
For many who thought Deshaun Watson’s totally assured contract could be the extent of Haslem’s largesse, they determined to carry that with them from the NFL to the NBA. In contrast to Watson’s wholly pointless contract, at the least these coach payouts gained’t add to the Bucks’ wage cap stress. They’re one of many groups during which its participant salaries exceed the dreaded “second apron.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo laid down the gauntlet throughout the offseason. If the Haslems wished among the finest gamers in NBA historical past to be part of their new enterprise enterprise, being tight with cash wouldn’t be an choice. Antetokounmpo appeared on a Bleav Community podcast in September and mentioned, “If there’s a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien, I have to take that situation.
Two weeks after that interview the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard. A crew with the second-best report within the NBA has determined to eat the wage of three head coaches by firing their new one midway via the season, after which hiring a high-profile substitute. This new partnership between the Haslems and Wes Edens has confirmed to not be afraid to schedule some large direct deposits and go on about their enterprise.
Antetokounmpo seems to be comfortable sufficient. He signed a three-year max contract extension in October, despite the fact that he may have signed a four-year one had he waited till after the 2023-24 season.
Clearly, there isn’t any solution to predict how these strikes are going to work out for the Bucks, however at the least the franchise is attempting. It’s sparing no expense to construct a crew that may compete for a championship this season, in addition to within the instant future.
The Bucks are combating. I don’t know what their technique or fashion is, however they’re actually swinging wildly. It’s in all probability higher to have a transparent plan in a combat, however there isn’t any solution to win with out taking some swings. The Haslems, Edens and the entrance workplace have actually taken some big monetary ones in latest months.
