The 2024-25 NBA season is right here! We break down the largest questions, greatest and worst case situations and fantasy prospects for all 30 groups. Recognize!
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Finish of 2023-24
Low season actions
-
Additions: Gary Trent Jr., Prince Taurus, Delon Wright, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith
-
Subtractions: Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The massive query: Does depth remedy Milwaukee’s woes?
Final season was a catastrophe. The Milwaukee Bucks first employed head coach Adrian Griffin, fired him a couple of months later and someway completed with a a lot worse file underneath his alternative, Doc Rivers.
It wasn’t simply teaching that stored the 2021 NBA champions from successful a playoff collection for the second straight season. Damian Lillard did not arrive in Milwaukee till the daybreak of coaching camp final season. When he did it, he was in “the worst form I’ve ever been in,”coping with”the toughest transition of my life” Consequently, he and Giannis Antetokounmpo spent the season searching for chemistry that by no means got here.
In the meantime, Lillard, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton had been all coming into their 30s in varied phases of decline, and the Bucks had no depth to help them. Issues obtained worse when Antetokounmpo suffered a left calf harm, presumably because of carrying too heavy a load. It was a recipe for catastrophe, they usually did it properly.
The Bucks are very dedicated to their 4 present and former All-Stars. The $152 million they owe Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton and Lopez left them with solely minimal offers to supply in free company. Bucks common supervisor Jon Horst did properly to spherical out the rotation, touchdown Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright, every of whom may contribute minutes within the playoffs. Trent is first in line for a beginning job.
Flip again the clock to 2021, then, proper? Not so quick. Lillard, Middleton and Lopez usually are not getting any youthful. Middleton, 33, is the youngest of the trio and required surgical procedure on each ankles in the course of the offseason. He will probably be restricted in coaching camp, like final season, whereas recovering from knee surgical procedure.
As for the chemistry between Antetokounmpo and Lillard, no less than it must be higher… RIGHT?
Giannis Antetokounmpo stated he and Damian Lillard weren’t capable of get collectively this offseason, however they spoke recurrently all through the summer time.
– Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) September 30, 2024
Oh.
Maybe a full coaching camp underneath Rivers will probably be sufficient for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to excellent their pick-and-roll partnership And construct chemistry with a revamped rotation, even when Middleton’s absence provides one other wrinkle. In any case, Antetokounmpo is without doubt one of the three greatest gamers within the NBA. He averaged 30-12-7 on over 60 % capturing from the sphere final season. He can masks loads of issues on any staff.
This implies elimination within the first spherical of the playoffs for the final two seasons, and that’s unacceptable. Neglect chemistry issues. Why ought to we consider that issues will get higher when an previous staff will get older?
It might probably’t be overstated how a lot the Bucks anticipated final season from Jae Crowder, Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari, none of whom are within the NBA anymore. Seems you possibly can’t simply acquire a bunch of castoffs and kind a playoff-caliber bench. This time, they focused match somewhat than flashy names. Trent, Prince and Wright shot a mixed 39.2 % on 12.4 3-point makes an attempt per sport final season.
The incoming trio additionally improves the staff’s versatility on the defensive finish, the place Milwaukee graded under common final season. It stays to be seen to what extent the fifth, sixth and seventh males can considerably enhance the defensive unit. They need to no less than assist the Bucks win common season video games.
However there isn’t any basketball world the place a trio of minimal wage additions single-handedly transforms a staff that didn’t win a playoff collection right into a staff able to successful 4 rounds. They’ll contribute to a competitor, however they can’t be the catalyst. Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton and Lopez should take the reins. Solely considered one of them is squarely in his prime, and he hasn’t been wholesome for 2 postseasons.
Finest screenplay
When Antetokounmpo is wholesome, he is a monster, attacking the rim fiercely, and that is key. Nothing works with out it. Lillard feels extra comfy along with his existence in Milwaukee and is returning to All-NBA kind. Trent, Prince and Wright inject vitality and stability into the roster, permitting Middleton to take his time getting again. Lopez anchors them on a wholly defensive degree. And we nonetheless do not know if they will beat the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers; however they’ve an opportunity on any of them.
If all the things collapses
If Antetokounmpo cannot get a deal with on the rising harm to his left leg, Milwaukee is toast. Let’s put that apart for a second. Bucks’ title likelihood is in hassle if Lillard’s All-NBA days are behind him, if Middleton’s All-Star days are behind him Or if Lopez’s All-Defensive days are behind him. If any of these items are true, will probably be troublesome to persuade anybody that this model of the Bucks can compete at any time sooner or later. And if that is the case, is Antetokounmpo questioning his future in Milwaukee?
Unbelievable filming
Antetokounmpo comes with warts in bracket codecs, however he is a top-four possibility for level leagues. Lillard completed exterior the highest 24 for the primary time in a decade, so anticipate him to bounce again after a whole offseason of coaching, resting and recovering with out exterior distractions.
Lopez’s age is catching up with him, so it is simple for me to fade away at his present age. ADP. One participant to observe within the later rounds is Bobby Portis Jr. Portis’ utilization charge eclipsed 25% underneath Doc Rivers and he ranked 79th in worth per sport over the ultimate three months of the season. — Dan Titus
Calendar 2024-25
Too many issues need to go proper. Take the underside.
