Milwaukee Bucks 2025–26 Season Preview: Can the Deer Roar Again?

The Milwaukee Bucks are heading into the 2025–26 NBA season with a little swagger, a little uncertainty, and a whole lot of Giannis. After a rollercoaster of a year that included snagging the shiny new NBA Cup but flaming out in the first round of the playoffs, Bucks Nation is asking the big question: what’s next?

Let’s break it down, blog-style.

---

Last Season in the Rearview

The Bucks finished last year at 48–34, good enough for the 5th seed in the East. Not terrible, but not exactly deer-fear domination either. That early playoff exit still stings, but the mid-season NBA Cup win was proof this team can still compete at the highest level when things click.

So yeah, last year was a weird mix of “we still got it” and “ouch.”

---

Offseason Moves: The Good, the Risky, and the “Huh?”

The Good

• Myles Turner joins the squad. He’s the defensive anchor the Bucks have been missing, with shot-blocking and rim protection that should give Giannis some breathing room.
• Gary Trent Jr. re-upped, which means steady scoring and shooting depth off the bench.
• Bobby Portis is locked in for the long run. He’s emotional, he’s scrappy, and Milwaukee loves him.
• Oh, and yes, Thanasis Antetokounmpo is back. He’s not about the stats, but he’s definitely about the vibes.

The Risky

• Khris Middleton is gone. End of an era. The Bucks just lost one of Giannis’ longest-running co-stars.
• Damian Lillard? Out with an Achilles tear for a big chunk of the season. Brutal.

The Wildcards

• Cole Anthony could end up being the surprise spark plug. If he’s consistent, the Bucks suddenly look a lot scarier. If not… welp.
• And let’s be real — this whole season hinges on chemistry. Can the new pieces mesh fast enough to keep up with a tough Eastern Conference?

---

Big Questions Heading Into the Season

1. How much more can Giannis carry? We know he’s a beast, but without Dame and Middleton, he’s going to be carrying a refrigerator up a mountain. Again.
2. Can Myles Turner transform the defense? If he clicks, the Bucks might have one of the best frontcourts in the league.
3. Will the bench matter? Portis, Trent Jr., and Cole Anthony could turn into difference-makers. Or they could just… not.
4. How dangerous is the East? Between Boston, Philly, and up-and-coming teams like the Cavs, there are no easy nights.

---

What to Expect

Let’s set expectations, shall we?

• Win total: Somewhere in the 45–50 range feels realistic.
• Playoffs: They’ll be there, but a deep run depends on health and whether Turner + role players show up big.
• Ceiling: Eastern Conference Finals if all goes perfectly.
• Floor: Another disappointing first-round exit.

---

Final Thoughts

The 2025–26 Bucks are a gamble team. They’ve got the superstar in Giannis, they’ve added size with Turner, and they’ve still got fan favorites like Portis to keep the fire alive. But without Middleton and with Lillard sidelined, Milwaukee has to hope its supporting cast steps up.

One thing’s for sure: nobody should count the Bucks out. This is a franchise that’s proven it can adapt, survive, and sneak up on people. And with Giannis still in his prime? You’d be crazy to bet against them entirely.

---

👉 Bucks fans — what’s your call? Are we looking at a Cinderella run or another season of “maybe next year”? Drop your thoughts below.

Comments

0 comments