Milwaukee Bucks Season Preview
- Re-signed: None
- Additions: Taurean Prince (free agent), Gary Trent Jr. (free agent), Stanley Umude (free agent), Delon Wright (free agent)
- Draft Picks: AJ Johnson (No. 23 overall), Tyler Smith (No. 33)
- Departures: Malik Beasley (to Pistons), Pat Beverley (to Hapoel Tel Aviv BC), Tyty Washington Jr. (to Suns)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari
Last Season Recap
The Milwaukee Bucks’ latest bid to maximize the prime of Giannis Antetokounmpo fell short when he suffered a calf injury during the playoffs. This injury exposed the team’s over-reliance on the two-time MVP, which, while understandable, highlighted the limitations of their aging core. Damian Lillard, despite an All-Star selection in his first season with Milwaukee, struggled to fully adapt, and neither Khris Middleton nor Brook Lopez could compensate for Giannis’ absence. The Bucks looked old and outmatched at times, leading to a sub-50 win season, the firing of coach Adrian Griffin, and a constrained offseason due to salary cap limitations.
Summer Summary
The Bucks were relatively quiet this summer, a stark contrast to the previous year when they made a splash by trading for Lillard. This offseason, they made modest moves, focusing on adding depth via AJ Johnson (No. 23 pick) and low-cost signings like Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright. These additions bring shooting and defense, with Prince notably starting games for the Lakers last season. However, it’s clear that Milwaukee’s roster didn’t undergo any transformative changes, and the team still largely depends on the health and performance of its core stars.
Player Spotlight: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard admitted that his first season in Milwaukee was an adjustment on many fronts. He shot 35.4% from three-point range, a dip from his career average of 37.2%. The move from Portland, where he spent his entire career, combined with family issues, took its toll. Lillard’s ability to bounce back to his All-NBA form will be crucial for the Bucks as they aim to compete with top Eastern Conference teams like the Celtics, Sixers, and Knicks.
Season Outlook
The Bucks enter the 2024-25 season under new head coach Doc Rivers, who will have a full training camp to implement his system—something the previous coach didn’t have. Rivers will need a refreshed Lillard and a healthy Middleton if Milwaukee hopes to challenge the top teams in the East.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo still at the peak of his powers and a solid supporting cast including Bobby Portis, the Bucks should comfortably win 50 games and be a playoff contender. The question, however, is whether their core can stay healthy and deliver in the postseason grind, especially given their lack of major offseason improvements. While Antetokounmpo remains a matchup nightmare, the Bucks’ ultimate success will depend on how well the supporting cast measures up.
