The Milwaukee Bucks have made headlining moves of their own, namely releasing Damian Lillard to financially facilitate the addition of Myles Turner. After a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Bucks are hoping to take steps towards their next Larry O’Brien Trophy. It begins in the regular season, where Milwaukee finished 4th in the standings last year. The question is, did the Bucks do enough to hold on to their top 4 position in an improved Eastern Conference?
Guerschon Yabusele, Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) and forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Can The Milwaukee Bucks Be A Top 4 Seed in the East?
The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping that the addition of Myles Turner, bringing back Bobby Portis, and various other moves will allow Giannis Antetokounmpo to be the best version of himself and bring the team back to the NBA Finals.
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) reaches for the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
The Eastern Conference is going to be anyone’s for the taking. With the defending Eastern Conference Champion Indiana Pacers and the recent NBA Champion Boston Celtics both missing their star players, anyone could step up and take the crown. How much did the Bucks improve, and are they going to be able to hang with some of the rising contenders in the conference?
How Much Better Are Detroit and Orlando?
Detroit and Orlando were the two teams directly behind Milwaukee in the standings last season. Both have made some high-profile additions to their rosters and will be gunning for home-court advantage.
The Magic made a big swing for Desmond Bane, acquiring the former Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard who is one of the top players at his position. Detroit has also added shooting in Duncan Robinson, who joins the Pistons from Miami.
Milwaukee Bucks, Dennis Schroder, Sacramento Kings
Mar 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrates a basket with guard Dennis Schroder (17) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Speaking of the Miami Heat, they just made a notable trade for Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell. An All-Star snub last season, Powell gives the Heat an exciting offensive options.
Could any of these three teams leapfrog Milwaukee in the standings? Orlando seems like the most likely one. Last season, they finished only nine games behind the Bucks despite their two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, missing significant time with injuries. Adding Bane, the Magic should be a top four team in the east next season.
Desmond Bane, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic
Mar 28, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots for three during the second half against the Orlando Magic at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
How Much Worse Are Boston and Indiana?
The Celtics had some major subtractions from their roster in a series of cost-saving moves. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are on their way out, and underrated bench player Luke Kornet is departing as well. With Al Horford also unlikely to be back and Jayson Tatum set to miss much of the upcoming season with his Achilles injury, Boston will likely have three new starters for next season.
Milwaukee Bucks
Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The Indiana Pacers will also be fighting to get back to the Finals without two of their best players. The Bucks took Turner in free agency, and Tyrese Haliburton is also going to miss most of the year with an Achilles injury. With two new starters needed to fill their positions, Indiana may not have the best regular season campaign next year.
Both teams will likely take significant steps backward next season without their All-NBA-caliber players. Milwaukee could have the chance to move up the standings due to this.
Conclusions
The Milwaukee Bucks won 48 games last season. To improve upon that, they hope that Turner will be a significant upgrade on the departing Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma gets his act together, and that guards like Kevin Porter Jr. can replace the Damian Lillard-shaped hole in the backcourt.
Milwaukee Bucks, Kyle Kuzma, Bucks news
Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma grabs a rebound and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the first half.
With some high-powered teams due to have a sluggish regular seasons, Milwaukee should have every opportunity to hang on to their top 4 spot, even if some of the younger contenders in the east take a step forward. Regardless of how Milwaukee’s top-to-bottom roster compares to other teams, they still have an MVP-caliber superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, something no other team in the conference has.
Antetokounmpo is the biggest reason for optimism. He is arguably the best player in the conference and gives the Bucks a chance on any given night. Holding onto their top 4 position is an achievable goal for Doc Rivers and company for the 2025-26 season.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers
Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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