The Denver Nuggets have a good thing going with Nikola Jokic. How long that lasts remains to be seen. But if they can avoid the mistakes the Milwaukee Bucks have made in the past years that have resulted in what could have been avoidable drama with Giannis Antetokounmpo, they should be the only team Jokic calls home in the NBA.
What happened in Milwaukee?
With the regular season winding down, no one expected that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks would steal some of the spotlight from the postseason-bound squads. However, a reported disagreement between the two parties may have strained their relationship enough that separating ways in the summer appears to be the only pathway to a resolution.
The problem in Milwaukee boiled over when Antetokounmpo, who has yet to suit up since early March because of a knee injury, told reporters last week that he had wanted to play for a while, but the organization had been holding him back. For the Bucks' part, they apparently requested him to participate in a group workout as part of his return protocol. However, he declined.
Perhaps it's just a matter of miscommunication between Giannis and the team. Still, it could have been resolved privately or maybe by Milwaukee trading the two-time MVP when it had the chance.
How does Antetokounmpo's situation tie into Jokic's?
It's almost impossible to see Jokic also getting into a public feud with the Nuggets. The relationship seems to be as strong as ever, and they are one of the strongest contenders in the West even as they are set to finish with just the No. 3 seed behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
But if there's one thing to be learned about the Antetokounmpo-Bucks affair, it's that teams with superstars have to be savvy in building a competent roster year in and year out.
The Bucks have failed to do that with the "Greek Freak." Currently, they have a 31-49 record. And even when Antetokounmpo plays, they have gone just 17-19. That winning percentage would still have them out of the play-in picture.
The Nuggets are in a better spot than the Bucks
So far, so good for the Nuggets, as the supporting cast around Jokic has been more than adequate. Jamal Murray continues to shine as one of the league's best sidekicks, while Aaron Gordon has been a seamless fit in the frontcourt with his two-way skills. The other role players have also performed well. If it weren't for injuries, I believe Denver would be in the mix for a top-two seed.
Sure, the club could be in a tough spot financially this summer, as it navigates Peyton Watson's restricted free agency. But its shrewd move to avoid being a luxury tax repeater by getting rid of Michael Porter Jr. last summer and making a salary-dump trade at the deadline is indicative of the front office's expertise.
Hopefully, though, the Nuggets can maintain their status as perennial contenders while Jokic is in his prime. Because, as we have seen in Milwaukee, things can go south quickly if the supporting cast around a superstar is not up to snuff.