Milwaukee Bucks

2016-17: 42-40, 6th in the East

Payroll: $121,995,096

NBA Draft:

#16-D.J. Wilson PF

#46-Sterling Brown SG

Offseason:

IN: Tony Snell (re-signed 4 years, $46 million), Gerald Green (1 year, $2.3
million)

OUT: Michael Beasley

Analysis:

Ill keep this brief, because if you scroll down to see my projected 51 wins,
youll understand that I love this team and am higher on them than most people.

This Bucks team is largely the same as last year, minus Michael Beasley
(which I consider a good thing). Gerald Green isnt likely to play much, which
means that the rotationwhich is quite deep in my opinionalready has the
chemistry and routines to immediately kick off the year with a bang. Adding D.J.
Wilson off the bench as a young stretch 4 who wont be expected to do too much
only adds to their versatility. The path to 50+ wins is purely through player
development, and with a roster this young, under a good coach in Jason Kidd, I bet
on that happening.

Rashad Vaughn is 22. Thon Maker is 20. Jabari Parker is 22. Tony Snell is
25. Khris Middleton and John Henson are 26. Malcolm Brogdon is 24. Giannis is
22. I repeat: Giannis is 22 and already a top-10 player in the league. The roster
crept up past the cap and a bit into the luxury tax (considering what are now
overpays for people like Henson, Monroe, Dellavedova, and Mirza Teletovic), but
this team is legit. I think they could easily go up against anyone in the East and
have a realistic shot at winning a 7-game series.

The perimeter spacing isnt always there, but they have a collection of
decent shooters and most all their rotation players are smart passers. The real X-
factors offensively will be 2 things: Gianniss jumper and Jabaris health. I believe
in the former much more than the latter. If Greek Freak has improved his jumpshot
over the summer and defenders need to respect it out of the pick-n-roll, he will be
unstoppable. If I were to put money down in Vegas on the MVP, I would put it on
Greek Freak; I dont want to harp on tragedy, but after the death of his 53-year-old
father last week, I expect Giannis to funnel his emotions onto the court.

For Jabari, the second major injury to the same knee is troubling, to say the
least. His body type isnt the most athletic and his frame looks like it will put on
the bad kind of weight as he ages, which when combined with his knee history
makes me wonder if hell be able to play 30+ minutes a night consistently over the
course of an 82-game season. His scoring prowess is unmatched though, and if he
returns healthy in the second half of the season he could ease the burden on guys
like Middleton and Monroe as secondary scorers.

If those things break even semi-right, there is no reason the Bucks cant have
a top-10 offense. Defensively, the advanced metrics didnt love them last year, but
young guys tend to struggle on defense. As they all age and get experience
(including the intensity of playoff games), I think they will tighten things up.
Beyond skill though, the length that the Bucks have is unmatched. Everyone is so
long and lanky that Jay Bilas probably dreams about them at night. Every single
position has length, which makes switching anything immensely easier
something theyll need to compete against the top-level offenses like Cleveland
and Golden State.

Thon Maker is a sleeper to make dramatic strides. If he can get on the floor
for more minutes (and the Bucks players raved about his skill levels in practice last
year), he could be a nightmare matchup for opposing teams already struggling to
contain the Greek Freak.
 The Bucks are ready to step into the limelight. If someone interrupts the
ECF collision course that Boston and Cleveland seem to be on, Id bet money its
Milwaukee. The backcourt is underwhelming for a good team, and could be a
problem in a series with the Wizards, but when I look at Milwaukees roster I see a
group of capable professionals who know how to play the game led by a future
MVP. This year I think theyre either an explosive point guard or a prime stretch
big away from being great (can you imagine Marc Gasol on this team?! They have
the pieces to make it happen).

No matter what happens, 2017 is the start of something exciting in

Milwaukee, and no matter how crazy Wes Edens is, its good for the league when
small-market franchises are on the precipice of success.

Player(s) to Watch: Greek Freak, Thon Maker

Both of these guys are freaks of naturecapable of doing things on a

basketball court that only a handful of others on the planet can do. Giannis can
make the next step, and Maker can start his ascent to the top of the league. If both
of them do so, Milwaukee will be a force to be reckoned with going forward.

Imaginary Prop bet: +2000 Giannis wins MVP and Maker wins Most Improved
Player

Prediction: 51-31, 3rd in the East