When you build your entire team and championship window around a two-superstar model, you cannot lose them and expect to survive. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 6 of their first-round series in the 2024 NBA playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, 120-98, and are thus eliminated.
Top-heaviness is unavoidable, as are injuries at times. And in defense of the supporting cast, they did not fold or get completely exposed, especially in Game 5, when they were able to pull out the win without both of their Hall-of-Famers.
Nevertheless, the ending of the Bucks’ season is not the whole story. The journey to that end was not the smoothest, and the fan who says that they expected – or accept – that trading Jrue Holiday and change for Lillard last summer only to yield a first-round exit is not being honest with themselves. The Bucks have work to do on the roster, and because of the Lillard move, they have not the assets (be it in terms of draft capital or salary flexibility) to make another one.
With that in mind, here follows a look at the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster and spending heading into the 2024 NBA offseason.