After another early playoff exit last season, the Milwaukee Bucks are hoping to bounce back in 2024-25. They made some interesting offseason moves, bringing in players like Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince while saying goodbye to key role players like Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley. With Damian Lillard now fully integrated and Giannis Antetokounmpo returning from injury, expectations are high. However, the Bucks still face some significant hurdles. From depth concerns to defensive struggles, there are several reasons this season might not live up to the hype.
1. Lack Of Outside Defense
The Milwaukee Bucks have a glaring weakness in their perimeter defense, a crucial area they struggled with last season. Despite making some additions during the offseason, the team still faces challenges on the defensive end, particularly when defending against quick guards and three-point shooters.
Last season, the Bucks fell to 19th in defensive efficiency, a huge drop from their previous top-10 finishes in the league. This drop is largely attributed to inconsistent defensive performances on the perimeter. Opponents shot 37.5% from beyond the arc against the Bucks, a stat that placed them in the lower half of the NBA. This issue is critical because today’s NBA is all about spacing and three-point shooting.
The Bucks brought in Gary Trent Jr. to help stabilize the backcourt defense. Trent Jr. has shown potential as a disruptive defender, although last season with the Raptors he saw a drop in his defensive rating. His role in Milwaukee will be crucial as he takes on defensive assignments alongside Damian Lillard, who, at 34, isn’t known for his defense. However, Trent’s 2.5 defensive win shares suggest he can contribute with steals and solid pressure on ball handlers.
Adding Delon Wright and Taurean Prince also gives the Bucks better defensive depth. Wright is known for his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions, particularly excelling at deflections and disrupting passing lanes. He’ll bring much-needed help when Lillard or Trent are off the floor. Prince, though not an elite defender, is an improvement over their previous bench options, providing more length and mobility than aging players like the departed Jae Crowder.
That said, these additions don’t completely fix the issue. While the Bucks improved their defensive depth, it’s not clear if they have enough to stop elite perimeter players. Their defense depends heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the paint, but without strong outside defense, teams can still break down their system by hitting threes or driving past weaker perimeter defenders.
Ultimately, the Bucks defensive success will depend on whether players like Trent Jr., Wright, and Prince can step up, especially since Khris Middleton has been slowed down by injuries and isn’t the perimeter defender he used to be. If the Bucks can’t get significant improvement on the outside, they may find themselves exposed against teams with high-scoring guards and wings. This makes perimeter defense a real concern for the Bucks as they aim for a deeper playoff run this season.
2. Aging Core In Lillard, Middleton, And Lopez
The Bucks are entering the 2024-25 season with a core of Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, all of whom are now in the later stages of their careers. While their talent is undeniable, age and injury history present significant risks for the team.
At 34 years old, Damian Lillard played in 73 games last season, averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. Though his offensive output remains solid, his shooting efficiency has dipped slightly, hitting just 42.4% from the field and 35.4% from three. Managing his minutes and health will be critical to ensure he stays fresh for a playoff run, as he got injured at the end of the series with the Pacers.
Khris Middleton, now 33, saw his minutes reduced to 27.0 per game as he dealt with lingering knee issues. He played just 55 games and averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds on 49.3% shooting. While he remains a vital part of the Bucks’ offense, injuries are clearly taking a toll, and his durability moving forward is a concern. Middleton did show up big in the playoffs, though, putting up an impressive 24.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in six postseason appearances.
Brook Lopez, at 36, continues to defy expectations, playing 78 games last season and averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds while providing elite rim protection with 2.4 blocks per game. As he ages, it’s uncertain how long he can maintain that level of performance.
While this core brings experience and leadership, the Bucks will need to manage their workload carefully throughout the regular season. If any of these players face significant injuries or fatigue, it could greatly diminish their championship hopes.
3. Doubts About Doc Rivers In The Playoffs
Let’s be real—Doc Rivers has a bit of a reputation in the playoffs, and it’s not the best one. As he won a championship with the Celtics back in 2008, that feels like ages ago now. Since then, his teams have had a hard time closing out big series, and that’s been the narrative following him. The Bucks are hoping he can change that, but there are definitely some red flags to keep an eye on.
Rivers has blown three 3-1 series leads during his career, more than any other coach in NBA history. His most recent playoff flop was with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, when they couldn’t finish off the Celtics despite having a 3-2 lead at home and Joel Embiid, who was playing at an MVP level. They were expected to go deep, but they folded, and that’s not the first time something like this has happened under Rivers.
A big concern with Rivers is that he tends to lean on his veterans too much, and when those guys start to fade, he doesn’t always make the necessary adjustments. Given that the Bucks have a lot of mileage on guys like Lillard, Middleton, and Lopez, that could become a problem. Rivers will need to manage their minutes and find ways to keep them fresh for the playoffs. His track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in that department.
On top of that, Rivers’ offensive schemes can be a bit predictable, which is why his teams have struggled in playoff settings where opponents have time to game-plan. The Bucks have one of the most dangerous duos in the league with Giannis and Lillard, but if Rivers can’t get creative with how he uses them, the Bucks might find themselves getting outcoached when it matters most.
Overall, Rivers brings a lot of experience, but his playoff baggage is hard to ignore. The Bucks are hoping for a deep run, but with Doc at the helm, there are definitely some question marks. He’ll need to prove that he can adapt and avoid the same playoff pitfalls that have haunted him for years.
4. No Cap Space To Make A Big Deadline Move
One of the major hurdles for the Bucks this season is their lack of cap space, which makes it nearly impossible for them to pull off any big moves at the trade deadline. After getting Damian Lillard, and re-signing Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to hefty contracts, the Bucks are deep into luxury tax territory for this year. This means they have little financial flexibility to improve the roster midseason without trading away key players.
The Bucks are one of the highest-spending teams in the league, and with their payroll far exceeding the salary cap, they have limited resources to bring in a significant player later on. They’re well over the luxury tax apron, which restricts them from using tools like the mid-level exception that teams usually rely on for midseason additions. Essentially, they’re stuck with what they’ve got since they also can’t add players to match contracts in a future trade, as they are well over the second apron.
Beyond their lack of cap space, the Bucks also don’t have many trade assets to sweeten any potential deals. Their future first-round picks were mostly dealt away in the Damian Lillard trade, leaving them without the draft capital other teams often look for. While they have some solid players on the bench, none are likely to fetch a high return in a trade. This makes it hard to see how the Bucks could land a significant player without giving up a core piece.
The problem with being capped out is that if injuries hit—or if they realize a weakness in the roster—they won’t have the flexibility to fix it. For example, if they need another wing defender or more shooting down the stretch, their hands are tied. Other teams, like the Knicks or 76ers, have more room to maneuver and could end up making moves that push them ahead of the Bucks as the playoffs approach.
In short, the Bucks are rolling into the 2024-25 season with one of the most expensive rosters in the league, but that financial commitment also locks them in. They’ll have to hope that their current squad stays healthy and productive because there won’t be much they can do at the trade deadline if things don’t go according to plan.
5. Do They Have Enough Shooting?
Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Bucks have solid shooting options, but there are still questions about whether they have enough depth to consistently space the floor and keep up with other top contenders. Here’s a look at what they’re working with.
Damian Lillard is, without question, their best shooter. He averaged 24.3 points and hit 35.4% from three last season on a high volume of attempts—8.5 per game. Lillard’s deep range and clutch ability make him one of the most dangerous shooters in the NBA, so defenses will have to respect him far beyond the arc.
Khris Middleton remains a reliable option when healthy. Despite battling injuries and playing only 55 games, Middleton shot 38.1% from deep last season. While his shooting touch is still there, his availability has been inconsistent, and the Bucks need him at full strength to take advantage of his floor spacing in crucial moments.
Brook Lopez is another key floor spacer, especially for a big man. Lopez shot 36.6% from three last season on 5.1 attempts per game. His ability to stretch the floor and pull opposing bigs out of the paint will be crucial for giving Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo more room to operate inside.
Malik Beasley, who was with the Bucks last season, has moved on, so they’ll need to rely on other role players to step up in his absence. Gary Trent Jr. is a recent addition who brings shooting to the mix. Trent Jr. shot 39.3% from three last season and has the potential to be a solid 3-and-D option for Milwaukee.
The Bucks also added Taurean Prince, a versatile wing who shot 39.6% from three in 2023-24. While not a volume shooter, Prince adds some much-needed depth to their rotation and can knock down open shots when needed.
The biggest question mark for the Bucks isn’t their top-level shooting—Lillard, Middleton, Lopez, and Trent can all space the floor effectively—but rather their depth. Beyond those names, the Bucks don’t have a lot of consistent shooters off the bench. If one of their main guys struggles or gets hurt, Milwaukee might find it difficult to maintain their spacing, especially in a playoff series where defense tightens up and shooting becomes even more critical.
6. Depth Concerns Behind The Stars
The Bucks have one of the most impressive starting lineups in the league, but the depth behind their stars is where things start to get shaky. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez taking up the bulk of the minutes and salary cap, there isn’t much left to bolster the bench. This lack of depth could be a significant issue throughout the 2024-25 season.
One of the key concerns is the lack of proven backups behind Lillard and Middleton. While Delon Wright provides solid defense and can handle the ball, he doesn’t bring much offensive firepower. The Bucks will need him to step up as Lillard’s primary backup, but his offensive limitations could leave the second unit vulnerable when Lillard sits.
In the frontcourt, Brook Lopez had an impressive season in 2023-24, but behind him, the Bucks are thin. Bobby Portis is the main backup big man, and while he brings energy and scoring, he doesn’t offer the same defensive presence as Lopez. If Lopez misses any time or needs rest, the Bucks may struggle to protect the rim, especially in matchups against teams with dominant centers.
When you look beyond the main rotation, the options are even more unproven. The Bucks’ younger players, like MarJon Beauchamp, haven’t shown enough yet to suggest they can be relied upon for consistent contributions. Beauchamp had flashes of potential but hasn’t fully earned a stable role. The team is also thin in terms of young prospects, which limits their flexibility in making midseason trades or developing talent.
The Bucks will be leaning heavily on their top stars to carry them through the regular season and into the playoffs. However, with the inevitable wear and tear of a long season, depth will become a critical factor. If injuries strike, or if the stars need extended rest, the Bucks’ lack of depth could be exposed, potentially derailing their championship aspirations.
7. Every East Team Looks Even Better
The 2024-25 season in the Eastern Conference is looking incredibly competitive, with every top team making significant upgrades during the offseason. The Bucks made their biggest move by adding Damian Lillard, but their competition has also leveled up, making the East tougher than ever.
Starting with the Boston Celtics, they are entering the season as the defending NBA champions after a dominant run last year. They’ve only gotten better by bringing in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom proved to be perfect fits in their system for the title. Holiday’s elite defense and leadership have complemented Boston’s already strong defensive identity, while Porzingis’ size, shooting, and rim protection were vital in the Finals, making the Celtics one of the most well-rounded teams. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continuing to lead the way, the Celtics are once again the team to beat in the East.
The Philadelphia 76ers weren’t far behind in terms of big moves, signing Paul George, Caleb Martin, and Andre Drummond to strengthen their roster. George adds another level of scoring and defensive prowess, forming a lethal duo with Joel Embiid. With the additions of Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson, the Sixers have bolstered their depth, making them even more dangerous.
The New York Knicks also made their mark by adding Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby, two key defensive pieces that will complement their already solid core led by Jalen Brunson. With a deeper and more balanced roster, the Knicks look ready to make another serious playoff push.
Even teams like the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers have made notable improvements. The Pacers signed Pascal Siakam and added James Wiseman to their rotation, while the Cavaliers are banking on their young core and internal development to push them further into playoff contention.
The Bucks are in for a tough ride, as nearly every contender in the East has gotten better. The Celtics are reigning champions, and with their smart additions, they’re favorites to defend their crown. Milwaukee’s path through the Eastern Conference will be challenging as these improved teams are ready to make a run for the top.
