Late on Friday afternoon, Eric Bledsoe inked a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks to stay in the Cream City for another four years. Bledsoe inked a 70 million dollar deal over that timeframe. The deal is worth 17.5 million per year which was less than his free agency cap next season. The Bucks guard could have waited until free agency where offers would have rolled in from teams that need a point guard (Orlando comes to mind). Bledsoe decided he was happy here and wants to continue this experience with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. It says a lot about this team and this franchise. This is step one of the future.

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst knew he had his back up against the wall this summer. Everyone in his starting lineup that didn’t have the first name Giannis was a free agent next season. With how well the Bucks played this year, all four could be expecting big deals next summer. The ability to talk with Bledsoe early on and get it cleared it out before the season ends is incredible. This is an unheard of move in the NBA and in most sports other than football. Free agency isn’t that far away. It should endear Bledsoe to Bucks fans who wants to be there as he loves this team and loves this city. Good for Horst, and shouts to Bled for making a selfless decision.

Now, it’s Khris Middleton time. They have to give him a ton of money to stay but it will not be easy. Once the major names of 2019 NBA Free Agency clear out, Middleton is one of the first on the second tier list. If he helps win an NBA Finals as a second banana, teams are going to want that with their superstar player. Bucks can ill-afford to overpay Middleton. I believe they know that, but it is worth saying again. Malcolm Brogdon and Brook Lopez are tough for different reasons. One is a restricted free agent, so, what if some team throws a ton of money at him? What happens then. The Lopez market will be fascinating.

This is a strong step to the future of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Charlie.