- The Milwaukee Bucks were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season but lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games
- The Bucks’ projected starting lineup for next season will feature three All-Stars
- Milwaukee has a new head coach on the sidelines
The Milwaukee Bucks went 58-24 last season, finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Many pundits picked the Bucks to reach the NBA Finals since the team was led by three All-Stars in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday.
However, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat upset the Bucks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury in Game 1 and missed Games 2 and 3.
The Bucks made a big change this offseason, replacing head coach Mike Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin. Let’s take a look at who Griffin will likely start next season in his first year as the man in charge in Milwaukee.
Point Guards
Starter: Jrue Holiday
Reserve: Jazian Gortman
Jrue Holiday appeared in 67 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc, and 85.9% from the free-throw line. The two-time All-Star signed a four-year, $135 million extension with Milwaukee in April 2021.
A California native, Holiday has career averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Bucks. He has made five All-Defensive teams and helped Milwaukee win the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Holiday has appeared in 193 games with the Bucks. He’s averaging 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists with Milwaukee. The UCLA product is one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
Shooting Guards
Starter: Grayson Allen
Reserves: Pat Connaughton, Malik Beasley
Grayson Allen played in 72 games for the Bucks last season. The Duke product averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc, and 90.5% from the free-throw line.
Allen has appeared in 138 games with the Bucks. He’s averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists since coming over from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Many players around the NBA don’t like Allen because they feel he’s a dirty player. However, the Bucks value his toughness and shooting skills. Allen made 146 3-pointers last season. He was second on the team in 3-point field goals, trailing only Jrue Holiday.
Small Forwards
Starter: Khris Middleton
Reserves: MarJon Beauchamp
Khris Middleton re-signed with the Bucks this offseason on a three-year, $102 million contract. The third year of the deal is a player option.
Middleton was never going to leave the Bucks. He has a very close relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee hired Adrian Griffin as its new head coach after firing Mike Budenholzer. Middleton and Antetokounmpo met with Griffin during the interview process.
The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings were interested in signing Middleton, but the swingman was never interested in leaving Milwaukee.
Middleton averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season while shooting 43.6% from the field, 31.5% from beyond the arc, and 90.2% from the free-throw line. He only appeared in 33 games. The veteran underwent successful surgery on his right knee shortly after the 2023 playoffs.
Middleton, 32, will be ready for training camp.
Power Forwards
Starter: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Reserves: Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder
In 63 games for the Bucks last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 55.3% from the floor, 27.5% from beyond the arc and 64.5% from the free-throw line. The seven-time All-Star recorded 46 double-doubles and six triple-doubles.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He has won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award, two regular-season MVPs, one Finals MVP, and one Defensive Player of the Year Award with the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo told Tania Ganguli of The New York Times that he will not sign an extension with the Bucks this year. The two-time MVP became eligible for a contract extension in September.
“The real question’s not going to be this year — numbers-wise it doesn’t make sense,” Antetokounmpo said. “But next year, next summer it would make more sense for both parties. Even then, I don’t know.”
Antetokounmpo added: “I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing.”
The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a five-year, $228.2 million designated maximum contract extension in December 2020. The future Hall of Famer will make $45.6 million next season.
Centers
Starter: Brook Lopez
Reserve: Robin Lopez
Brook Lopez averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks for the Bucks in 78 games last season while shooting 53.1% from the floor, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. The big man made 136 3-pointers.
Lopez has career averages of 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks with the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Bucks.
The 35-year-old Lopez re-signed with the Bucks this offseason on a two-year, $48 million contract. The Rockets thought they had a “strong chance” to sign Lopez in free agency, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, but Lopez was never going to leave the Bucks.
