Bucks 2024-25 Season Thread

[Voyageur]

Fantastic move by the Bucks. They gave up their 2nd round picks in 2031 & 2031 and Pat Connaughton for Vasilijie Micic of the Hornets.

Micic's salary is $8.1 million this year. Connaughton's 2025 salary is $9.4 million. Micic was touted as a solid guard who could add outside firepower.

Instead, the Bucks are going to cut Micic and he's going to give back a portion of his salary so they can sign Myles Turner. What a cluster this whole thing is. They can try to blow smoke up our skirts anyway they want but reality is they blew it big time.

I know they're going to say this was a salary cap cutting move, but the fact is, they made a stupid decision and have nothing to do but lose out on the whole deal.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Fantastic move by the Bucks. They gave up their 2nd round picks in 2031 & 2031 and Pat Connaughton for Vasilijie Micic of the Hornets.

Micic's salary is $8.1 million this year. Connaughton's 2025 salary is $9.4 million. Micic was touted as a solid guard who could add outside firepower.

Instead, the Bucks are going to cut Micic and he's going to give back a portion of his salary so they can sign Myles Turner. What a cluster this whole thing is. They can try to blow smoke up our skirts anyway they want but reality is they blew it big time.

I know they're going to say this was a salary cap cutting move, but the fact is, they made a stupid decision and have nothing to do but lose out on the whole deal.

So the Bucks gave up that draft capital and Connaughton to get a guy they then cut? Did they cut him just to be able to get Turner?

In isolation, Tyler looks like an excellent acquisition and a solid replacement for Lopez. He moves very well, he's fast, and is close to 40% on 3s.

I will miss Lopez. Solid player and solid Buck. Great guy.

 

[Voyageur]

So the Bucks gave up that draft capital and Connaughton to get a guy they then cut? Did they cut him just to be able to get Turner?

In isolation, Tyler looks like an excellent acquisition and a solid replacement for Lopez. He moves very well, he's fast, and is close to 40% on 3s.

I will miss Lopez. Solid player and solid Buck. Great guy.

Yes, they did. They needed less than $2 mill in space to make it happen, and quite honestly, I think Connaughton would have taken a three-year reworked contract had they asked.

Horst just shoots from the hip and hasn't got a clue where he's taking things.

Why in the world would you give up a pair of 2nds and a player for a guy that you are going to cut anyhow? They got them caught up in a scenario where Rivers just didn't want him there. Expect something similar to happen with Kuzma as well. Lopez walked out the door not even considering negotiations with the Bucks because I believe he saw Rivers for what he was a coach.

Until Horst and Rivers are gone it's going to stay bad. Expect Giannis to demand a trade. Maybe even before this season starts.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yes, they did. They needed less than $2 mill in space to make it happen, and quite honestly, I think Connaughton would have taken a three-year reworked contract had they asked.

Horst just shoots from the hip and hasn't got a clue where he's taking things.

Why in the world would you give up a pair of 2nds and a player for a guy that you are going to cut anyhow? They got them caught up in a scenario where Rivers just didn't want him there. Expect something similar to happen with Kuzma as well. Lopez walked out the door not even considering negotiations with the Bucks because I believe he saw Rivers for what he was a coach.

Until Horst and Rivers are gone it's going to stay bad. Expect Giannis to demand a trade. Maybe even before this season starts.

Well the trade and cut is still confusing to me. My guess is that Horst had no idea he could get Turner and when he was there, he took him. Again, in isolation, Turner is an excellent addition and will complement Giannis.

I don't agree that Giannis is going to demand a trade. Lillard, through no fault of his own, was a liability. Now Giannis can be Giannis. Turner's presence will help Giannis. I hope they hang onto Kuzma.

And as much as I liked Lopez, switching him out for Turner is a huge gain for the Bucks. I don't think Connaughton will be missed a lot. He's a fine bench player, but it was just time for a change of scenery. Doesn't sound like they got anything for him though. The Bucks will be fun to watch this season, seemingly in spite of Horst and Rivers.

 

[Voyageur]

Well the trade and cut is still confusing to me. My guess is that Horst had no idea he could get Turner and when he was there, he took him. Again, in isolation, Turner is an excellent addition and will complement Giannis.

I don't agree that Giannis is going to demand a trade. Lillard, through no fault of his own, was a liability. Now Giannis can be Giannis. Turner's presence will help Giannis. I hope they hang onto Kuzma.

And as much as I liked Lopez, switching him out for Turner is a huge gain for the Bucks. I don't think Connaughton will be missed a lot. He's a fine bench player, but it was just time for a change of scenery. Doesn't sound like they got anything for him though. The Bucks will be fun to watch this season, seemingly in spite of Horst and Rivers.

It wasn't a question of getting anything for him with Connaughton. They gave up him and 2 draft picks for nothing. They're dumping the guy they got by buying out his contract so he can go to Europe and play.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It wasn't a question of getting anything for him with Connaughton. They gave up him and 2 draft picks for nothing. They're dumping the guy they got by buying out his contract so he can go to Europe and play.

Man that is bad even by Horst's low standards. Well just the fact that he's trading picks as far out as 2030 and 2031 is NOT good.

I saw some game film of Turner and I'm surprised that Cleveland would let him go, or maybe he was a FA. For a big, the guy is fast, has some great moves, is very aware of the game around him, hustles back on D, and has a killer three-point shot.

Losing Lillard may have been the best ending for all out of a bad situation. The Bucks don't need two scoring juggernauts when there is only one ball. Lillard can decide where he wants to play.

With the acquisition of Turner, and Giannis not having to figure out how to play with another big scorer, I expect the Bucks will have a better year. Giannis, as expected, has handled this whole thing with class. I expect he'll have another big year and get back in contention for MVP.

 

[Voyageur]

Man that is bad even by Horst's low standards. Well just the fact that he's trading picks as far out as 2030 and 2031 is NOT good.

I saw some game film of Turner and I'm surprised that Cleveland would let him go, or maybe he was a FA. For a big, the guy is fast, has some great moves, is very aware of the game around him, hustles back on D, and has a killer three-point shot.

Losing Lillard may have been the best ending for all out of a bad situation. The Bucks don't need two scoring juggernauts when there is only one ball. Lillard can decide where he wants to play.

With the acquisition of Turner, and Giannis not having to figure out how to play with another big scorer, I expect the Bucks will have a better year. Giannis, as expected, has handled this whole thing with class. I expect he'll have another big year and get back in contention for MVP.

To be honest, I think the Bucks will be better without Lillard from day one. It leaves them in a somewhat vulnerable position at point guard, but I have a hunch one of the experienced vets they have on the roster has ear marked to fill a lot of that role in the starting rotation. Turner will have more opportunities to show his skills because the Bucks will now show some reasonably decent defense around him, giving him the opportunity of patrolling the paint.

I was glad to see they ended up resigning Rollins. The kid might not be a star in this league, but he can give the Bucks some valuable effort at guard on defense in the rotation. He might also develop into a better player than we'd suspect.

 

[Heyjoe4]

To be honest, I think the Bucks will be better without Lillard from day one. It leaves them in a somewhat vulnerable position at point guard, but I have a hunch one of the experienced vets they have on the roster has ear marked to fill a lot of that role in the starting rotation. Turner will have more opportunities to show his skills because the Bucks will now show some reasonably decent defense around him, giving him the opportunity of patrolling the paint.

I was glad to see they ended up resigning Rollins. The kid might not be a star in this league, but he can give the Bucks some valuable effort at guard on defense in the rotation. He might also develop into a better player than we'd suspect.

Thanks V, and agree 100% that essentially trading Holiday for Lillard was a mistake. It's like having two future HOF QBs on the same team. Only one can have the ball at a time. (OK that's not a perfect analogy, but you get my meaning).

In fact, Lillard, and through no fault of his own, may have slowed Giannis down (that sounds impossible). And they gave up Holiday, who was the missing piece for a championship! Holiday was a real point guard, arguably one of the top 5 in the league. He rarely scored more than 20 pts/game, but he dished out assists and played fierce defense. And he and his family loved the community! Oh well, what's past is past.

So Lillard's departure, again, works out for all. Turner has been added, Portis will be back, and thanks for letting me know they resigned Rollins.

Giannis is good enough to carry a team, and Turner is an additive move. So in spite of Horst, we can hope for the best.

There is the matter of Rivers. But I'm in a good mood and don't want to ruin it.

Hope you had a great 4th V, and everyone!

 

[DoURant]

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[Heyjoe4]

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Thanks D. Do you have any intel on Anthony? I'm not familiar with him.

 

[DoURant]

Thanks D. Do you have any intel on Anthony? I'm not familiar with him.

Anthony is a Point Guard, played at N Carolina, 25 yrs old. His career stats are basically 12 pts, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He will give you about 20-25 minutes off the bench. His dad is ex-NBA player Greg Anthony.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Anthony is a Point Guard, played at N Carolina, 25 yrs old. His career stats are basically 12 pts, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He will give you about 20-25 minutes off the bench. His dad is ex-NBA player Greg Anthony.

Thanks D. Those are good numbers off the bench.

Departures and additions have been happening so fast I haven't been able to keep up. For the most part, I like the moves. Turner from Indy will replace the departed Lopez and shave 8 years off the age of the C. Portis is staying. Connaughton is gone but he needed a change of scenery. He maxed out what he could do for the Bucks.

I will miss Lopez and Connaughton. They played hard and were just good Milwaukee guys.

Releasing Lillard also worked out in everyone's best interests. That was just a bad move from day 1. I actually felt bad for the guy - he had a lot of personal stuff going on - 2,000 miles away - and he never looked comfortable on the floor.

With Giannis still at the core, this team might play some decent ball come October. Hope so.

 

[DoURant]

One good thing is the team is getting younger. With very few draft choices left, they have to do it one way or another. Happy that Portis is back, and I saw an interview where he said he wanted to stay in Milwaukee, it's the one place he has felt comfortable.

 

[Heyjoe4]

One good thing is the team is getting younger. With very few draft choices left, they have to do it one way or another. Happy that Portis is back, and I saw an interview where he said he wanted to stay in Milwaukee, it's the one place he has felt comfortable.

I agree that one thing they can do in spite of salary cap problems is get younger, and they are. By itself, that's no guarantee of success. The NBA, much like the NFL, is becoming a league dominated by younger (under 30 y/o), faster athletes. Hopefully the Bucks have a good staff of assistant coaches who can help these guys - and Giannis will always provide leadership.

Yeah I'm glad Bobby Portis is staying. He is an excellent sixth man, and the fans absolutely love him. Giannis and Porter anchor this team, and now that the coaches don't have to worry about playing Giannis and Lillard together, they can experiment and play a faster game, heavier on defense.

 

[Voyageur]

My biggest question going into the upcoming season is chemistry on both offense and defense. Right now, it's a puzzle. I'm not exactly certain how Turner and Portis will develop together when on the floor. I don't know if we have someone at this time who can play the point effectively, and be a creator out there, or is Rivers going to try to play a one-man game with Giannis?

So many questions. Then there's the question of how much speed the Bucks have actually developed and how well they can transition on defense. All that will be determined in camp and preseason. I'm hopeful they can win 45 to 50 games at this point. I still wonder about defense.

A big defender like Turner can be effective inside but if he keeps drawn outside, how will the Bucks inside game suffer? Lots of questions.

 

[Heyjoe4]

My biggest question going into the upcoming season is chemistry on both offense and defense. Right now, it's a puzzle. I'm not exactly certain how Turner and Portis will develop together when on the floor. I don't know if we have someone at this time who can play the point effectively, and be a creator out there, or is Rivers going to try to play a one-man game with Giannis?

So many questions. Then there's the question of how much speed the Bucks have actually developed and how well they can transition on defense. All that will be determined in camp and preseason. I'm hopeful they can win 45 to 50 games at this point. I still wonder about defense.

A big defender like Turner can be effective inside but if he keeps drawn outside, how will the Bucks inside game suffer? Lots of questions.

All good questions and all represent situations a strong HC and coaching staff would iron out before October. I don't think Rivers is up to that.

As for Portis playing well with Turner, that should be fine. Turner will replace Lopez at C and Portis will continue as a PF. Not sure if Portis is still a sixth man or a starter. Either way, I think those two will be fine.

The questions on speed and defense do need to be addressed. 45-50 wins would be a decent season for these guys.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Pretty good article in The Athletic today - first part of a two-part interview with Horst. It looks like Portis will be a starter, and Giannis will "officially" take on the duties of a "point forward" (v point guard).

Horst talks about the decision to release Lillard and take a cap hit of $22.5 mil for the next five years. That's ******* a GM's ability to build a team, but in this case it was done to get Turner on board.

Horst also said the team had to make decisions based on leveraging Giannis's prime-years window now, as opposed to planning for a rebuild over a few years. No rebuild here. Everything will revolve around Giannis, fine w/ me.

The Bucks are gonna look very different next year. I'm not a big Horst fan, but he does seem to be making the best of a situation that he created in the first place. I was surprised Horst was extended, but we all gotta move on. Games next season will be fun to watch.

 

[DoURant]

Lillard signed a 3 yr $42mil contract to go back to Portland. Ironically, he will now be teammates with Jrue Holiday.

 

[Voyageur]

Lillard signed a 3 yr $42mil contract to go back to Portland. Ironically, he will now be teammates with Jrue Holiday.

He ends up getting what he wanted in the beginning. He never wanted to leave Portland. Now he's home.

It is ironic that he's now playing with Holiday.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Lillard signed a 3 yr $42mil contract to go back to Portland. Ironically, he will now be teammates with Jrue Holiday.

Wow that is just wild. So Portland gets him for $14 mil AAV and Lillard continues to be paid by the Bucks, or more likely is contract was bought out. Sweet deal and I am happy for him - he fell on some hard personal times when Milwaukee acquired him, and his family is still, I think, in Portland.

But the irony that Lillard and Holiday will make up the staring backcourt for the Blazers is too much. These are two players who should complement each other very well - Holiday an outstanding point guard/defender and Lillard a scoring machine.

Then again, both of them are getting old by pro-sports standards. Even so, they will both contribute and will help mentor younger guys.

 

[Heyjoe4]

He ends up getting what he wanted in the beginning. He never wanted to leave Portland. Now he's home.

It is ironic that he's now playing with Holiday.

Yeah he handled it well, but it was obvious to anyone he just didn't want to be here. Some of it is his fault. He wanted a chance to be on a championship-caliber team, so he was looking for a trade. But the nature of the trade, personally and professionally, turned out to be a disaster for all involved.

I wish Holiday and Lillard well - both classy guys.