Even with the pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks still face a tough battle to win the championship next year. Thanks to a different set of factors, that fight isn’t as easy as it looks.
The Bucks face a crucial season in 2024-25 as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 49-win campaign in the previous year. After winning the NBA championship in 2021 and posting consecutive 50-win seasons, the Bucks experienced a significant downturn, leading to the midseason firing of head coach Adrian Griffin.
Veteran coach Doc Rivers was brought in to steady the ship, but his tenure got off to a rocky start, with the team going just 17-19 to close out the regular season. The Bucks’ early playoff exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers only added to the sense of unease surrounding the franchise.
However, the Bucks still have the core that led them to the title just three years ago, led by the dynamic duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. There’s still a good chance the Bucks will bounce back with a projected 51-31 record, good for a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee Bucks Chances Of Winning Title Gets Reality Check From Latest NBA Analysis
Even with a full offseason to prepare, it’s still going to be an uphill battle for Milwaukee to win the championship next year. According to an NBA analysis by Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, the Bucks have placed 10th among 30 teams that can win a ring within a three-year window.
“Khris Middleton just turned 33 and had offseason surgery on both ankles. Damian Lillard is 34. Brook Lopez is 36—and a free agent after next season. Giannis Antetokounmpo turns 30 in December and has seen injuries derail his availability during each of Milwaukee’s past two playoff stints.
Buying stock in next year’s Bucks isn’t hard. They were far from perfect last season and still dominated with their Core Four on the court. Give me all the 2024-25 Milwaukee capital you’re selling.
Even with Antetokounmpo, though, the wheels are at risk of falling off the collective operation in every year that follows. And as things stand, Milwaukee has none of the incumbent youth, financial flexibility or trade assets to effectively mitigate its downside,” Favale wrote.
The return to 50-plus wins will be heavily dependent on Antetokounmpo’s health and availability, as the team struggled mightily without their superstar in the playoffs. The addition of veterans like Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright should also provide a boost, but the Bucks’ ability to recapture their championship-winning form will ultimately determine their fate.
As the league continues to see parity, with six different champions in the last six seasons, the Bucks still remain one of the more competent teams that can contend for the title in 2024-25. Their success or failure could shape the balance of power in the Eastern Conference for years to come.
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