The Bucks’ most realistic bold prediction for the 2025-26 NBA season

The The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025-25 NBA season at a solid crossroads. On one hand, they released Damian Lillard and made multiple moves to usher the team into a new era as they continue to develop Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks most notably added Myles Turner in free agency, along with Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. They also re-signed AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims and Gary Trent Jr.

This most notably gives a more balanced, disciplined look to the roster with plenty of shooters surrounding the wrecking ball that is the Greek Freak. However, is that enough to keep him in Milwaukee for the upcoming season?

After all, Giannis is now 30 years old and determined to be on a team that can compete for a championship. That is still unlikely to happen in the 2025-26 campaign.

The Bucks are poised for another early playoff exit

The prediction is twofold. Not only will the Bucks fail to show the postseason improvement Giannis expects of them, but they will also lose their biggest star at the end of the campaign.

Giannis has already indicated that he will stay for the entire season, and a midseason trade seems unlikely. Last season, their 48-34 record was good enough for the fifth seed in the East.

However, the problems were obvious. An inconsistent defense, a half-court offense too reliant on Giannis bullying his way inside, and a roster that simply lacked another elite playmaker when Damian Lillard went down with a devastating Achilles injury.

Since then, the Bucks have turned in what looks like a “rebuilding on the fly.” The addition of Myles Turner helps, at least aesthetically.

Turner replaces Lopez as a rim protector (2.0 blocks per game last season) and marker (39.6% from deep), according to Basketball Reference. Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Gary Trent Jr. provide the shooting, while Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis remain the glue of the frontcourt.

However, even with Turner’s fit, this is a collection of decent pieces, not a championship core.

Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t do it alone

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out of the world, with an average of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a league-leading 243 dunks last season. Doc Rivers’ system should, in theory, help. Expect “Point Giannis” to make a serious appearance again, with Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony sharing supporting duties.

Still, Milwaukee’s best hope lies in relying on defense. They might be inclined to turn games into slow, physical battles where Turner protects the rim, Portis eats the glass and Giannis does everything else.

While that can be expected to work in the regular season, success in the postseason seems unlikely simply because they don’t have enough offensive firepower aside from Giannis to win games against NBA heavyweights.

This should ultimately lead to the decision to waive and extend Dame’s contract being considered a desperation move. If Milwaukee folds early again, even after another Herculean season from Giannis, what reason will he have to stay?

The championship window he opened is closed. The core that won with him is gone. The bullpen is empty until 2030. And there will be plenty of teams that will go all in for Giannis when and if he becomes available in a trade.

Considering the above, another early playoff exit seems likely, which in turn makes the possibility of Giannis leaving more likely.

So the two-time MVP who brought Milwaukee its first championship in half a century can be expected to quietly decide it’s time to chase another one in second place.