The Milwaukee Bucks went into the 2025/26 NBA season as 50/1 shots to win the championship for just the third time in their history.
Having clinched the 2020/21 title courtesy of a 4-2 series victory over the Phoenix Suns, the Bucks have failed to make their mark in the play-offs since then.
Given that they have superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in their line-up, it is easy to see why many people believe the Bucks are underachieving.
Antetokounmpo pulled in seven per cent of bets in the MVP race, according to Betway, highlighting his status as a consistent game-changer in the NBA.
However, some critics believe that the 30-year-old has not been justifying his mind-boggling $176 million contract. General manager Jon Horst has a different opinion.
Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst believes in this team
Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers (right) speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst as Rivers is introduced as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Horst raised plenty of eyebrows when he opted to waive All-Star guard Damian Lillard and stretch the remaining $103m left on Lillard’s deal to facilitate a deal for Myles Turner.
The deal sacrificed nearly 15 percent of Milwaukee’s cap space but completed a roster revamp around Antetokounmpo that started with Khris Middleton’s trade in February.
The moves have created a Bucks roster which is the most youthful since 2018/19. Despite this, Horst insists they are capable of mounting a sustained bid for the NBA title.
He believes they are in their ‘third window’ of evolution with Antetokounmpo and thinks this will be open for the remaining time his contract is under team control.
The two-time MVP has a player option for the 2027/28 season, but Horst is not looking any further ahead than the next two seasons.
“In that third window, there’s a two-year stretch because I can’t control what Giannis does or doesn’t do, what he does or doesn’t want to do beyond what his contract is,”Horst said.
“So, I’m very confident that for two years we have the best player in the world, we have an incredible supporting cast, we’re modernizing and improving our style of play.
“We’ve added to our depth, we’ve got younger, more athletic, faster that I think will help him be better and help us be better and I think that gives us a chance to maximize those two years.”
While Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly the star of the show for the Bucks, Turner could also prove to be a difference maker this season.
His eye-catching dunk on Kyshawn George in the season-opening 133-120 victory over the Washington Wizards was a standout moment in an impressive debut performance.
The Bucks have previously been built around Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Jrue Holiday or All-Star pairing Antetokounmpo and Lillard. However, this year’s roster looks more balanced.
Head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed that he will rotate his line-up to suit different opponents, which should keep everyone on their toes as the season progresses.
The Bucks notably played at a faster pace against the Wizards and it will be intriguing to see how much difference that makes over the next few months.
Antetokounmpo’s insistence on the team taking more shots also paid dividends, and could be the key to him making a sustained bid to win the MVP award.
“Once I swing the ball and guys are wide open and they don’t shoot the ball, I kind of get upset sometimes because I feel like that’s a good shot,”Antetokounmpo said.
“We want to get good shots. It doesn’t matter how it’s going to happen. If you’re wide open and nobody’s around you or closing out, shoot the ball.
“If you miss? We come right back, shoot it again. I think I’ve said that publicly. I said that in our locker room. We have to keep having that mentality. Whenever you’re open, shoot the ball, because it makes the game easier for me.”
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