After several off-seasons, the teams from the Eastern Conference have started to make big moves. The New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons, and more have made some crucial additions for the upcoming season. On the other hand, some teams are yet to take advantage of this summer, such as the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite this inactivity, a former NBA veteran has high hopes for the Bucks only because of Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s recent success in the Olympics and Damian Lillard’s silent off-season moves. 

Antetokounmpo put on a one-man show in the Olympics’ qualifying tournament a few days back. The Greek Freak eliminated Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, 96-68, to clinch a final berth in the tournament. He scored 13 points, 4 rebounds, and a block, which along with the help of the supporting cast helped Greece mark their win. Antetokounmpo is making noise on an international floor, while Damian Lillard is silently working in the dark during this off-season. 

Former Atlanta Hawks star Jeff Teague made a mention of the above incidents to showcase why the Bucks are going to be a top-three team in the East. The other two teams he mentioned were the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. Teague said, “I seen my boy Dame training. Dame locked in. Giannis locked in. He just got [Greece] going to the Olympics. When you go to the Olympics and all that s***, you come back even better.”

The hopes are high. The Bucks got eliminated in the first round last playoffs due to Antetokounmpo’s absence and Lillard’s mid-series injury. They were helpless. We are yet to see what a healthy Bucks with Lillard can do in the playoffs. However, when it comes to off-season additions, the Bucks are lagging. 

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The Bucks have a solid supporting cast for Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez among others, are a few who have played with the Bucks for a long time. They also have Patrick Beverley, who was effective for the team last season. Anyhow, will this be enough to finish as a top-three team in the East? 

Bucks do not have a lot of young talent on their side. MarJon Beauchamp, AJ Green, and Ryan Rollins are their only young players. Beauchamp shined bright last season when he got some meaningful minutes. In the 2024 Draft, the Bucks selected 19-year-old Tyler Smith with the 33rd pick, who played in the NBA G-League previously. 

Smith might not get a lot of minutes in his rookie season. He is not likely to be a part of the rotation. The Bucks highly rely on their starters, which is why an injury can turn the season upside down. They have four young stars now, and it’s about time they use them in the rotations to make their minutes meaningful. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video: