Bucks' New-Look Roster: Unlocking Giannis Antetokounmpo's Playmaking Potential (2025)

Is the Milwaukee Bucks' bold youth experiment with Giannis Antetokounmpo a stroke of genius or a high-stakes gamble that could backfire spectacularly? Dive into the details as we explore how they're shaking things up to unleash his full potential.

by The Associated Press

Fri, October 17th 2025 at 10:31 PM

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks charges toward the hoop during the second half of the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

TOPICS:

Bucks (https://fox11online.com/topic/Bucks) Antetokounmpo (https://fox11online.com/topic/Antetokounmpo) Playmaking (https://fox11online.com/topic/Playmaking) Turner (https://fox11online.com/topic/Turner) Three-pointers (https://fox11online.com/topic/Three-pointers) Doc Rivers (https://fox11online.com/topic/Doc%20Rivers) NBA (https://fox11online.com/topic/NBA) Trade (https://fox11online.com/topic/Trade)

BetMGM Championship Odds: 55-1

What to expect

The Bucks are embracing a fresh, energetic vibe by injecting youth and athleticism into their lineup, a transformation that kicked off with the February deal sending Khris Middleton to Washington and extended through offseason moves like inking Turner and parting ways with Lillard, who was sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign due to his Achilles tear (for context, an Achilles injury is a serious tendon rupture that can keep elite players out for a year or more, as we've seen with others in recent NBA seasons). The core strategy revolves around getting the ball into Antetokounmpo's capable hands as frequently as possible, boosting his ability to create plays by pairing him with sharpshooters who can stretch the floor. They tested this blueprint successfully last year, clinching their final eight regular-season wins without Lillard, who was battling deep vein thrombosis (a potentially dangerous blood clot condition). During that stretch, Antetokounmpo racked up four triple-doubles in his last five games—a triple-double, for those new to basketball jargon, means double figures in three of these categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks, or steals. Wing players like Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, and Taurean Prince could really shine here, having averaged 6.3 three-point makes per game as a group last season. Meanwhile, Turner arrives after setting a personal best with 156 threes made in the previous year, adding a versatile big man who can defend the rim and knock down shots from afar.

But here's where it gets controversial... Is this youth-first approach truly sustainable, or are the Bucks sacrificing experience for long-term upside? Some fans argue it's a smart rebuild, while others worry it could lead to growing pains in the short term.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Antetokounmpo just wrapped a campaign where he placed second in the league for points (30.4 per game), sixth in rebounds (11.9), and 13th in assists (6.5). With a quicker tempo on the floor, he could be in the running for his third MVP if health holds up—something that's always a concern for high-usage stars like him. The team led the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy (.387 last season) but ranked 18th in attempts, so under Rivers, they're aiming to boost those long-range tries to play to their strength. Turner, at eight years younger than Lopez, brings similar elite rim protection (think blocking shots at the basket) and outside shooting prowess. Plus, they'll get a full year from Bobby Portis, who missed 25 games last season after an accidental mix-up with painkillers—Tramadol (banned by the NBA) instead of the allowed Toradol, a mistake that highlights how strict league rules can impact teams unexpectedly.

And this is the part most people miss... Even with all this talent, does the roster have the depth to support Giannis through a full grind? He's the only player here with an All-Star nod to his name, which raises eyebrows about whether Milwaukee has the supporting cast to match.

The not-so-good: The Bucks stumbled out of the gate last year, dropping eight of their first 10 contests, and a similar rough patch could fuel whispers about Antetokounmpo possibly pushing for a trade. Though he insists he's "locked in" with the team, he also noted that "if in six, seven months I change my mind, that’s human, too." Adapting to life without Lillard might be tricky too; the seven-time All-NBA guard delivered 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in 58 games. Kyle Kuzma, acquired in the Middleton swap, hasn't found his groove in Milwaukee yet, struggling to establish a consistent role.

Boldly put, this trade history sparks debate: Was letting Lillard go a savvy cost-saving move, or a decision that stripped the team of proven star power when they needed it most? What do you think—could Giannis' loyalty waver, leading to blockbuster deals down the line?

Players to watch

Naturally, it all revolves around Antetokounmpo, who claimed third in last year's MVP race. The Bucks are banking on Turner to click seamlessly with him after luring the ex-Indiana Pacers center with a lucrative four-year, $108.9 million deal. Their bench players need to rise to the occasion as well. Kevin Porter Jr. showed promise after joining at the deadline last season, and now he faces the challenge of sustaining that momentum. With the team's push for more three-pointers—which are worth three points and open up the court in modern basketball—the spotlight could fall on Green, who nailed 42.7% of his long-range shots last year.

Do you believe this youthful overhaul will propel the Bucks to contention, or is it a recipe for another early playoff exit? Should they have prioritized retaining veterans like Lillard for immediate wins? Weigh in below—let's discuss whether loyalty, youth, or star power wins the day in the NBA!