The 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks season was a rollercoaster, marked by flashes of brilliance, significant challenges, and a disappointing postseason exit. Below is a detailed analysis of the good and bad aspects of their season
The Good
NBA Cup Championship:
The Bucks achieved a perfect record in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, culminating in a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 17. This marked a significant highlight, showcasing their ability to compete against top teams when healthy and cohesive. The win boosted team morale and provided a tangible achievement in an otherwise turbulent season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP-Caliber Performance:
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another stellar season, leading the league in scoring and playing at an MVP level. His dominance was critical in pulling the Bucks out of an early 2-8 hole, with standout performances driving their midseason turnaround (e.g., 8-1 stretch in November).
Midseason Turnaround:
After a dismal 2-8 start, the Bucks rallied to a 10-9 record by late November, including a six-game winning streak. They finished the regular season at 48-34, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. This resilience, despite early struggles, showed the team’s potential when firing on all cylinders.
Savvy Offseason Additions:
The Bucks made smart, low-cost signings in Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright, who improved depth and fit. These players shot a combined 39.2% from three on 12.4 attempts per game last season, addressing Milwaukee’s need for perimeter shooting. Trent Jr.’s quickness and physicality bolstered the perimeter defense, while Prince and AJ Green led a “dynamite 3-point attack.” These additions complemented the core of Giannis, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton (before his trade), and Brook Lopez.
Defensive Improvement:
Despite concerns about an aging roster, the Bucks improved defensively, ranking 10th in defensive rating (DRTG) overall and sixth since their 1-6 start. Doc Rivers’ emphasis on size and physicality, funneling opponents toward Giannis and Lopez, helped transform the team into a top-10 defensive unit, defying preseason doubts about their athleticism.
Emergence of Young Talent:
AJ Green emerged as a breakout story, contributing significantly to the Bucks’ three-point shooting. Rookies AJ Johnson (No. 23 pick) and Tyler Smith (No. 33 pick) added long-term potential, with Johnson’s selection surprising draft pundits but signaling Milwaukee’s focus on developing young talent. These moves provided hope for a roster often criticized for lacking youth.
Financial Flexibility Post-Middleton Trade:
Trading Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma on February 6, 2025, brought the Bucks under the second apron, opening access to the full mid-level exception (MLE) and bi-annual exception for the 2025 offseason. This move, combined with potential cap gymnastics (e.g., Bobby Portis or Pat Connaughton opting out), positions Milwaukee to pursue significant free-agent signings or re-sign key players.
Core Chemistry Progress:
Giannis and Damian Lillard showed improved cohesion compared to their first season together, which was marred by Lillard’s adjustment to Milwaukee and personal challenges. Their +16.3 net rating per 100 possessions as a core unit (with Middleton and Lopez) highlighted their potential when clicking, giving hope for future seasons under Doc Rivers’ full training camp
The Bad
First-Round Playoff Exit:
The Bucks suffered a 1-4 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, marking their second consecutive year exiting in the opening round. This was a significant disappointment for a team with championship aspirations, especially after losing 4-2 to the Pacers in the 2024 playoffs. The series exposed ongoing issues with depth and clutch performance.
Injury Woes:
Injuries plagued the Bucks again, with Bobby Portis missing time due to a suspension and Khris Middleton battling health issues before his trade. The team’s lack of big-man depth was evident, as they gave up 30% or more offensive rebounds in four straight games during Portis’ absence, including a season-worst 47% against the Grizzlies. These injuries disrupted chemistry and exposed the roster’s reliance on Giannis.
Poor Start and Inconsistent Offense:
The Bucks’ 2-8 start was a low point, raising early concerns about their viability as contenders. Even after their turnaround, their offense struggled, particularly when Giannis and Lillard were on the floor together. Their inability to score efficiently in crunch time, with the team ranking as “mediocre” offensively despite a strong defensive rating. Losses to top teams like the Celtics and Cavaliers (0-5 combined) highlighted their offensive limitations.
Aging Core Concerns:
The Bucks’ core of Lillard, Lopez, and (formerly) Middleton, all in their mid-30s, showed signs of decline. Lillard’s 35.4% three-point shooting last season was a career low, and Lopez’s age impacted his defensive mobility. Middleton’s injury-riddled season and subsequent trade raised questions about the team’s championship window.
Lack of High-Impact Young Talent:
Despite AJ Green’s emergence, the Bucks lacked a robust pipeline of young stars to complement Giannis. Rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith are projects, and the team’s reliance on veterans like Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis (both with player options) underscored a lack of dynamic youth.
Clutch-Time Struggles:
The Bucks struggled in close games, particularly against elite teams. They went 0-5 against the Celtics and Cavaliers, with four losses coming down to the wire. Giannis and Lillard “firing blanks” in crunch time, pointing to a lack of offensive execution when it mattered most.
Trade-Off of Middleton for Kuzma:
While the Middleton trade provided cap flexibility, Kyle Kuzma’s integration posed challenges. His lower salary helped financially, but his fit alongside Giannis and Lillard was less seamless than Middleton’s, and the Bucks struggled to maintain chemistry post-trade.
Missed Expectations:
Entering the season, the Bucks were expected to contend for a top-4 seed and challenge teams like the Celtics, Sixers, and Knicks. However, their 48-34 record and fifth-place finish fell short of 50-win projections, and their early playoff exit fueled “doomerism” among fans.
Greek Frea’s Future:
There are a lot of rumors that Giannis could be on his way out of Milwaukee to pursue better chances of winning another Trophy in the NBA. A couple of Teams associated with this rumor are the Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, Knicks, and Warriors.
