NBA writer sees the Milwaukee Bucks as one of the top title contenders next season

With their core intact, the Milwaukee Bucks are billed as one of the title contenders next season.

The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the top title contenders next season, according to an NBA writer.

Zak Hanshew of NBC Sports had the Bucks at the No. 4 spot in his 2023-24 NBA Power Rankings. Hanshew’s insights came at the time when NBA Free Agency was almost done.

Leading title contenders

With Bradley Beal joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns are on top of Hanshew’s rankings.

By keeping their core intact, the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets are poised to repeat, and they were ranked second.

Coming in at third on the list are the Boston Celtics, who have brought in Kristaps Porzingis to join Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

With two key pieces re-signing, Hanshew listed Milwaukee at the fourth spot. Signing sharpshooter Malik Beasley was cited as one of Milwaukee’s notable offseason moves, although Hanshew also noted the departure of point guard Jevon Carter, who moved to the Chicago Bulls.

Milwaukee’s key offseason moves

The Bucks are raring to bounce back after a first-round exit last season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still leading the charge and with Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez still around, the Bucks have a good chance of bouncing back from last season’s disheartening campaign, Hanshew said.

“This team should have a fully-healthy Khris Middleton heading into the new season, and the addition of Malik Beasley will add some quality perimeter scoring. Giannis can bounce back, and with Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez back, this is a title contender,” Hanshew wrote.

Aside from keeping their core intact, the Bucks have also added some young prospects by taking in Andrew Jackson Jr. (36th pick) and Chris Livingston (58th). With those off-season moves, it’s certainly not hard to believe that the Bucks would be in title contention next season.