Are the Bucks Still Built For a Championship Run?

It’s fair to say the Milwaukee Bucks’ last few seasons have ended in major disappointment.

Since winning a championship in 2021, they’ve only made it past the first round of the playoffs once (2022).

A mix of bad luck with injury, coaching changes and an aging roster has contributed to the Bucks’ recent failings. Despite great play and improved chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard since their 2-8 start, the Bucks have hovered in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture at 29-24. With a growing feeling that the team’s championship window is quickly closing, the front office needed to make moves.

Post-Khris Middleton Bucks Era Has Begun

The Bucks’ headline move marks the end of an era.

Many fans reacted negatively to the Khris Middleton trade, disappointed that Kuzma was all they could yield in return for the three-time All-Star. The loss of a promising rookie in AJ Johnson also signals another wasted pick, continuing a worrying trend for the Bucks.

Kuzma has had an underwhelming season, shooting a career-low 42% from the field and 28.1% from three for the tanking Wizards. The Bucks hope a change of scenery and a more defined role will help the 29-year-old — who played an impactful role in the Lakers’ 2020 title run — rediscover his best form. In four games with the Bucks so far, not much has changed (42.3% FG, 22.2% 3PT), but he has still added 16.3 points per game to a team in desperate need of consistent production.

Especially now, with Bobby Portis getting hit with a 25-game suspension for accidentally taking a banned substance.

Middleton Era’s End Was Inevitable

Two main factors drove the decision to part ways with Middleton: health concerns and the desire for financial flexibility.

Middleton has been plagued with injury since 2022, missing a significant number of games over the past three years. While his performances in last year’s playoff series showed he could still operate at the elite level, the Bucks could no longer rely on his health.

As part of the four-team deal that sent Middleton to Washington, the Bucks acquired Jericho Sims from the Knicks for Delon Wright. Sims struggled to find a place in the Knicks rotation, but brings youth, athleticism and depth at center.

Finally, the Bucks acquired Kevin Porter Jr. from the Clippers. Despite the off-court controversy that follows him to Milwaukee, Porter Jr. showed during his three years with the Rockets that he could be a valuable asset.

Porter Jr. has struggled in his return season to the NBA, managing just 9.3 points per game and shooting a career-low 24.5% from three during his time with the Clippers. Despite this, KPJ brings much-needed scoring ability and backup ball-handling duties to Milwaukee.

What does this mean for the Bucks’ contender status? 

The Bucks’ improvement depends on how well Kuzma adapts to his new role alongside Giannis Antetokoumpo and Damian Lillard. Kuzma has already shown positive signs in his first four games as a Buck. He’s demonstrated his size, ability to drive, athleticism and ability to grab boards, which are welcome attributes to the Bucks.

Porter Jr. played significant minutes and hit some clutch shots in the Bucks’ narrow win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He will compete with Ryan Rollins as the backup point guard for the rest of the season, and questions remain whether the Bucks plan to convert Rollins’ two-way deal before it expires in a few games.

The Bucks undoubtedly got younger, more versatile and athletic with their acquisitions at the deadline, which has been a key concern for this roster. However, after dumping Middleton’s contract, the Bucks failed to add another significant piece to the roster.

The Bucks have 29 games left to help the new additions gel. The priority for the remaining games is to secure a playoff spot and keep their superstars healthy in the process.

With Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks will always feel they have a good chance at a deep playoff run. However, the key to their success will be how much they can get out of players like Kuzma, Bobby Portis and Gary Trent Jr. when it really matters.

The Bucks certainly haven’t gotten weaker with their moves made at the trade deadline. However, it’s difficult to say whether the new additions will close the gap between the Celtics and Cavs, who continued to strengthen at the deadline.

Sportsbooks Not Sold on a Bucks Bounceback Yet

While many have applauded the Bucks for making some moves to improve their roster, sportsbooks don’t believe these moves have made Milwaukee a contender. 

Bucks’ title odds from many top betting sites nz continue to have the Bucks outside the top seven, putting them behind the Celtics, Cavs, and Knicks by a significant amount in the East. This shows that bookmakers and bettors aren’t ready to back the Bucks, leaving the team’s odds to win a title (mostly) unchanged.

Still, don’t be surprised if the team’s odds change dramatically over the next few weeks as we finally see this new-look Bucks team in action.