Playoff outcomes suggest the NBA could see a summer of big moves

Golden Statehas decisions to make now. Big decisions. Phoenix does, too. AndDallas. And Milwaukee. And Portland. And more.

It’s the besttime of year in the NBA — with the playoff field getting down toits final four on Sunday.

It’ll befollowed by the co-best time of year in the NBA — July, when freeagency time means some teams are going to wildly change.

The Warriors’reign as NBA champions ended Friday night with a loss to the LosAngeles Lakers, and it served as a reminder that nobody — not evena team with four titles in nine years — can escape the need to makechanges. And if the enormous-spending Warriors need changing, thena whole lot of other teams do as well.

“I still feellike this team has championship potential,” Warriors coach SteveKerr said. “We didn’t get there this year but it’s not like this isthe end of the road. But the organization has some decisions tomake and we’ll eventually get to that point.”

They’re notalone.

Consider:Milwaukee had the best record in the NBA this season, the No. 1overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the entirety ofthe playoffs. The Bucks won only one playoff game, wound up firingcoach Mike Budenholzer and surely will consider how much deeperthey want to get into the luxury tax – while also making sure theydo enough to give Giannis Antetokounmpo more title chances.

“I believe wewill have a very attractive position,” Bucks general manager JonHorst said. “We have the best player in the world. We have achampionship culture and organization. We have great facilities. Ithink we have great respect around the league. So, I think we’llhave a lot options.”

Expect a lotof comments like that in the coming days and weeks.