ESPN has released its grades for 30 NBA teams’ offseason moves and the Milwaukee Bucks fans might wants to temper their expectations if the sports media company is to be believed.
Bucks came to the 2025 offseason with a significant level of desperation after their disastrous end to the season.
They again exited in the first round, the third time it happened and pressure on the front office to deliver for their superstar is mounting.
They must remain a contender during the Greek Freak’s peak years or see him get snatched by another franchise. They did it by letting go the injured Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers.
That is not enough according to ESPN, giving the team a C+ grade.
Milwaukee Bucks’ moves are not satisfactory
They were able to sign a young player in Turner who agreed to a four-year deal. Jon Horst feels great about it and their chances. However, for ESPN, that does not make them contenders.
“No, the Bucks stretching Damian Lillard’s salary over the next five years to create cap room and sign Myles Turner away from the Pacers — the top player to change teams in free agency — isn’t likely to result in Milwaukee contending,” it wrote.
It also suggested that Milwaukee might have a shot in the East but only because it got weaker with the injuries to important players (i.e. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton).
“But it at least gives the Bucks a chance this season, with a power vacuum in the East due to injuries and Giannis Antetokounmpo still playing at a top-five level. Milwaukee did creative work to bring back the rest of last season’s core, albeit at the cost of handing out player options like party favors. A whopping five Bucks got 2026-27 options, which could complicate next summer’s roster building.”
The offseason might not be a hit to some but Horst recently said they are not yet done making moves and is looking forward to the mid-season market.
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