Bucks Zone

Where do the Milwaukee Bucks rank in the preseason Power Rankings?

The Milwaukee Bucks remain one of the top title contenders next season.
Jonas Panerio|
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Milwaukee Bucks

A lot can still happen between now and the start of the 2023-2024 season in late October. However, the Bucks’ offseason has entrenched them as one of the title contenders for next season. The preseason Power Rankings of The Athletic have even placed them in the no. 2 slot right behind the reigning champions, Denver Nuggets.

The ceiling remains an NBA championship

Despite the big change in the head coaching position when the team let go of Mike Budenholzer and replaced him with first-time head coach Adrian Griffin, the team’s ceiling remains unchanged as the team still employs two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, which means that the Bucks’ ultimate goal of an NBA championship is still well within reach.

“It’s hard to predict where the coaching change from Budenholzer to Griffin is going to land the Bucks. They were a title-contending team with Budenholzer, and the organization is hoping Griffin can avoid playoff collapses. But the change itself probably won’t alter this team’s ceiling much, as they won a title with Bud,” Zach Harper of The Athletic wrote.

Health remains a legitimate concern

The more pressing question, though, remains the Bucks’ health. Giannis’ back injury in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Miami Heat cost him two games. Khris Middleton played less than half of the regular season, while Jrue Holiday also missed a bunch of games due to injuries and load management.

The Bucks have a deep and talented roster that should be ready to challenge for the title again, but there’s no denying that their health is probably the most important factor heading into next season.

“It’s going to be about the health. Two years ago, they can say that was the difference in their loss to Boston. It was probably a factor with the loss to Miami this past season because of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brief absence, but mostly, this team just looked disjointed from all the time Middleton lost during the regular season. They’re deeper now and need that depth to help them stay cohesive through the bumps and bruises, so they’re ready for the playoff run,” Harper added.

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO