The Milwaukee Bucks Are Nearing The End Of Their Runway
Since Giannis joined the team in 2013, the Bucks have made the playoffs in nine of his eleven seasons with the franchise, or 81% of the time — not bad. Of those nine playoff runs, they’ve lost in the first round six times (66%), lost in the Conference Finals once (11%), lost in the Semi-Finals twice (22%), and won one title in 2021.
That’s not too bad for a franchise that only made it to the playoffs seven times between 1991 and 2012.
Obviously, though, no one is going to be satisfied with just one Finals victory when you have a star player on the team like Giannis, especially when the team just made a major swap to add Damian Lillard.
Unfortunately, winning a championship is much easier in theory than reality, and most players (even good or great ones) don’t get more than one or two at most.
To be clear — the Bucks could certainly pull off another Finals appearance or victory, but the clock is ticking for them, and there are some key obstacles standing in their way.
The Core Problems
The Bucks are still a potential championship-level team, at least for now, but there are some core issues that will quickly begin to plague them over the next two to three years.
First of all, Giannis is going to be turning 30 this season, and for a player whose game is almost entirely predicated on being freakishly athletic, that certainly represents a problem. Of course, in a perfect world, and if he meticulously maintains his health, maybe Giannis will be lucky enough to have another 3-5 years in his relative athletic prime, but that’s not the most likely outcome.
What’s more likely is that a slow regression begins to take place, and Giannis will eventually become a very well-equipped big man that can play good defense and make plays, but far from a first or second option.
Secondly, Damian Lillard just turned 34, and we already saw a noticeable decline in his stats during the 2023-2024 NBA season. Having given up a decent amount to snag the star point guard and an offensive threat they desperately needed in order to compete, this gives the Bucks maybe a two-year window at most to maximize that addition.
Thirdly, Khris Middleton is about to be 33, despite the fact that he has been in the league for 12 seasons going on 30. Middleton used to be, and arguably still is (insert the “Khris Middleton sometimes” meme), an excellent third option for a championship-caliber team, but injuries have plagued him lately, and getting older isn’t going to help much.
Other Noteworthy Considerations
The team is reportedly looking to move on from 36-year-old, defensive-oriented, stretch-five center Brook Lopez, though no deal has been made yet. Lopez has been an integral aspect of the team’s success (on both ends) for years now after reviving his career in Brooklyn, and moving him would leave a sizable hole in that position.
Elsewhere, Bobby Portis is a great offensive kickstarter off the bench, PC is nice to have, Taurean Prince is a nice pickup, and it never hurts to have Jae Crowder.
However, losing Malik Beasley is a significant ding to the team’s shooting, especially considering they haven’t replaced him with anything noteworthy as of yet.
Bringing it All Together
Giannis' inevitable aging and the physical demands on his athleticism present a significant concern. Damian Lillard's addition brings hope but his own age and recent decline suggest a limited timeline for his peak performance. Khris Middleton's injury struggles and advancing age also add to the uncertainty.
The potential departure of Brook Lopez could weaken their defense and create a void difficult to fill. While role players like Bobby Portis and Jae Crowder provide depth, the loss of key shooters like Malik Beasley needs addressing.
Despite these hurdles, the Bucks have the talent and drive to make another deep playoff run., and they’re currently the 8th most favored team to win the 2024-2025 NBA Finals at +1300. But, the clock is ticking, but if the team can manage their core issues and maximize their current roster, another championship isn't out of reach.
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