After a disappointing finish last season, the Milwaukee Bucks are ready to take on the upcoming campaign with two-time MVP leading the charge. Fortunately, an NBA analysis has projected the team to get at least 50 wins next season.
After a disappointing first-round playoff exit the previous season, the Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer in May 2023 and hired Adrian Griffin as the new head coach in June. In September, the Bucks made a major trade, acquiring seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Bucks got off to a strong start under Griffin, posting a 30-13 record by late January 2024. However, the team then dismissed Griffin from his position, and hired veteran coach Doc Rivers. Despite the coaching change, the Bucks clinched their eighth straight playoff berth, though star player Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a late-season calf injury.
The short-handed Bucks were then upset in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Indiana Pacers in six games. Lillard also missed postseason games due to injury, contributing to the early playoff exit for the Bucks. Overall, the 2023–24 season saw significant roster and coaching changes for the Bucks, though they were unable to advance deep into the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks Projected To Have a 50-Win Campaign in 2024-25 NBA Season
Unlike the previous season, Milwaukee may end up getting a better record for the upcoming campaign. In an article written by Andy Bailey for Bleacher Report, the Bucks are projected to get at least 50 wins.
Over-Under: 50.5
The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA last season. They fired championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer in the summer of 2023, then fired his replacement, Adrian Griffin midway through 2023-24. They went for a big name to take over for Griffin, and then Doc Rivers had a below .500 record with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and a core that won it all just three years ago.
Of course, Giannis missing the playoffs with an injury obviously impacted how the campaign ended, but Milwaukee was a mess long before it was eliminated by the Pacers.
The defense finished the season ranked in the bottom half of the league. Lillard, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton are all on the other side of their primes. And Rivers has become known as much for his playoff shortcomings over the last 15 years as he is for his 2008 title.
But the Bucks still have Giannis, one of the two or three most physically dominant players in the league. And if he’s available, they figure to pile up regular-season wins.
It also helps to land quality veterans like Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright on small deals, but this bet on the over depends almost entirely on Milwaukee’s Greek superstar.
Milwaukee’s 2024-25 depth chart is projected after their offseason moves. Lillard leads the point guards, while Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright provide depth at the combo guard position. The wing group is the team’s deepest, featuring Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and several promising young players. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Taurean Prince anchor the forward spots, while the center rotation consists of the aging Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and rookie Tyler Smith.
With this projected roster, the Bucks stand a strong chance of making 50 wins for the upcoming season. If all goes well, they may even surpass that number and go far in the playoffs.
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