Milwaukee Bucks fire head coach Mike Budenholzer

The Milwaukee Bucks are heading into a pivotal offseason.

The Bucks have Giannis locked up long-term, but they have seven players set to become free agents once free agency opens.

Khris Middleton could join that group if he declines his player option. Backup guard Jevon Carter also has a player option he can reject to become a free agent.

Among the seven players is starting center Brook Lopez. Lopez is in his mid-30s, but he showed this season he still has some quality basketball left to play. Also, he is pivotal to what the Bucks do on defense.

Middleton was limited this season with knee issues, but he is still a capable sidekick to Giannis. It would be tough for Milwaukee to maintain title contender status if he departs.

The new collective bargaining agreement will make it hard for the Bucks to upgrade their roster.

General manager Jon Horst could attempt to bring a majority of the team back and hope a new coach can return the Bucks to the NBA Finals.

Although, the timing of this decision might not be the best.

Maybe firing Budenholzer was a bit extreme, but something had to be done. The Bucks cannot afford to waste championship opportunities while they have one of the best players in the league in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bud helped raise the team’s standards, and when he failed to meet them himself, he was out of a job.