What happened: Denver's approach around Nikola Jokic increasingly resembles Milwaukee's late-stage roster management. Both franchises faced pressure to refresh an aging championship core while preserving a narrowing window.
Why it matters: Milwaukee's decline shows how quickly a contender can exhaust its flexibility around a franchise player. Denver's remaining offseason decisions could shape whether it avoids the same downturn.
By the numbers: The Bucks finished 32-50 in 2025-26, missed the playoffs and ended a nine-season postseason streak.
What to watch: Watch whether Denver makes a substantive roster move before training camp or carries its current structure into 2026-27.