Table of Contents
The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We’re breaking down the biggest questions, best and worst case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!
MILWAUKEE DOLLARS
Final 2023-24
Off-season moves
Additions: Gary Trent Jr., Taurus Prince, Delon Wright, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith
Subtractions: Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
complete list
The big question: Does depth solve Milwaukee’s problems?
Last season was a disaster. The Milwaukee Bucks hired first-time head coach Adrian Griffin, fired him a few months later, and somehow ended up with a much worse record under his replacement, Doc Rivers.
It wasn’t just coaching that kept the 2021 NBA champions from winning a playoff series for the second consecutive season. Damian Lillard didn’t arrive in Milwaukee until dawn of training camp last season. When he did, he was in “the worst shape I’ve ever had,” dealing with “the most difficult transition of my life.” As a result, he and Giannis Antetokounmpo spent the season searching for a chemistry that never came.
Meanwhile, Lillard, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton were entering their 30s in various stages of decline, and the Bucks had no depth to support them. Things got worse when Antetokounmpo suffered a left calf strain, perhaps from carrying too much of a load. It was a recipe for disaster and they did it right.
The Bucks are committed to their four current and former All-Stars. The $152 million owed to Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton and Lopez left them with nothing more than minimum deals to offer in free agency. Bucks general manager Jon Horst did well to fill out the rotation, landing Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright, each of whom can contribute playoff minutes. Trent is first in line for a starting job.
So, turn the clock back to 2021, right? Not so fast. Lillard, MIddleton and Lopez aren’t getting any younger. Middleton, 33, is the youngest of the trio and required surgery on both ankles during the offseason. He will be limited in training camp, just like last season when he was rehabbing from knee surgery.
As for the chemistry between Antetokounmpo and Lillard, that at least has to be better… NO?
Giannis Antetokounmpo said he and Damian Lillard weren’t able to meet this offseason, but they spoke regularly throughout the summer.
—Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) September 30, 2024
Oh.
Perhaps a full training camp with Rivers will be enough for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to perfect their pick-and-roll partnership. and build chemistry with a revamped rotation, even if Middleton’s absence adds another problem. After all, Antetokounmpo is one of the top three players in the NBA. He averaged 30-12-7 on over 60% shooting from the field last season. It can mask many problems in any template.
What that has meant the last two seasons is a first-round exit in the playoffs, and that is unacceptable. Forget worries about chemistry. Why should we believe that things will improve as an old computer ages?
It can’t be understated how much the Bucks expected last season from Jae Crowder, Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari, none of whom are already in the NBA. It turns out that you can’t just gather a bunch of discards and form a playoff-caliber bench. This time, they focused on more catchy names. Trent, Prince and Wright shot a combined 39.2% on 12.4 3-point attempts per game last season.
The incoming trio also improves the team’s versatility on the defensive end, where Milwaukee was below average last season. It remains to be seen to what extent the fifth, sixth and seventh men can significantly improve the defensive unit. They should at least help the Bucks win regular season games.
But there is no basketball world in which a trio of minimum-salary additions will single-handedly transform a team that failed to win a playoff series into one that can win four rounds. They can contribute to a contender, but they cannot be its catalyst. Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton and López must take those reins. Only one of them is in his prime and he hasn’t been healthy in two postseasons.
The best of cases
When Antetokounmpo is healthy, he is a monster who ferociously attacks the rim, and that is paramount. Nothing works without it. Lillard is becoming more comfortable with his existence in Milwaukee and returning to his All-NBA form. Trent, Prince and Wright inject energy and stability into the squad, allowing Middleton to take his time coming back. López anchors them at a totally defensive level. And we’re still not sure if they can beat the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers; but they have a chance against any of them.
If everything falls apart
If Antetokounmpo can’t control the mounting injuries to his left leg, Milwaukee is done. Let’s put this aside for a moment. Bucks’ title chances are in trouble if Lillard’s All-NBA days are behind him, if Middleton’s All-Star days are behind him either if López’s totally defensive days are behind him. If one of those things is true, it will be difficult to convince anyone that this version of the Bucks will be able to compete at any point in the future. And if that’s the case, does Antetokounmpo question his future in Milwaukee?
fantasy twist
Giannis Antetkounmpo comes with warts in category formats, but is a top 4 option for points leagues. Damian Lillard finished outside the top 24 for the first time in a decade, so expect him to bounce back after a full offseason to train, rest and recover without outside distractions.
Brook Lopez’s age is catching up with him, so it’s easy for me to fade into his current ADP. One player to watch in the later rounds is Bobby Portis Jr. Portis’ usage rate eclipsed 25% under Doc Rivers and he ranked 79th in value per game over the final three months of the season. — Dan Tito
Calendar 2024-25
Too many things have to go right. Take the one below.