2025-26 Milwaukee Bucks / NBA Thread

[nate82]

11 minutes ago, GAME05 said:

Also means the Bucks will be adding about $10M of cap space. Lillard will be making $70M next year.

The 5 year cap hit was $22.5m for the Bucks it is now $20.2m.  

Explanation from Bobby Marks who is a super genius when it comes to the NBA cap calculations.  

 

 

 

[patrickgpe]

never mind I see post above. its been a week :)

 

[nate82]

Uggg Horst.  Looks like Kuzma is going to be a major part of the Bucks roster at least for this year.

https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/news/bucks-gm-defends-kyle-kuzma-amid-major-struggles-we-still-believe

[CheezWizHed]

3 hours ago, nate82 said:

Uggg Horst.  Looks like Kuzma is going to be a major part of the Bucks roster at least for this year.

https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/news/bucks-gm-defends-kyle-kuzma-amid-major-struggles-we-still-believe

Meh.  It's a nothing-burger article.  If he truly believes in Kuzma and plans to keep him, he will say positive things about him.  If he thinks he is terrible, but can't get rid of him, he will say positive things about him to help boost confidence.  If he is about to trade him, he is going to say positive things about him to keep his trade value high.  

It's what GMs do... say positive things about their players and don't tip their hand about what you are really doing or thinking. 

If they are really keeping Kuzma, I hope the offseason will help him play better with the team and he simply had an issue transitioning...  I guess we wait and see.

[nate82]

This probably saved a roster spot for Jackson as his play in the summer league suggested he should be released.

 

[BrewerFan]

On 7/21/2025 at 5:27 PM, CheezWizHed said:

Meh.  It's a nothing-burger article.  If he truly believes in Kuzma and plans to keep him, he will say positive things about him.  If he thinks he is terrible, but can't get rid of him, he will say positive things about him to help boost confidence.  If he is about to trade him, he is going to say positive things about him to keep his trade value high.  

It's what GMs do... say positive things about their players and don't tip their hand about what you are really doing or thinking. 

If they are really keeping Kuzma, I hope the offseason will help him play better with the team and he simply had an issue transitioning...  I guess we wait and see.

Kuzma... doesn't inspire a ton of confidence(to put it mildly) but I can't imagine we'd have been able to sign Turner and keep Portis without that trade. I don't like that we gave up AJ Johnson, but... that's over with.

So if it's now or later in the year, he's a trade chip. It doesn't all have to happen now...right?

 

Kuminga is a really interesting target, but I'd really hold off on dealing that until Giannis extends or doesn't. 

[CheezWizHed]

18 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Kuzma... doesn't inspire a ton of confidence(to put it mildly) but I can't imagine we'd have been able to sign Turner and keep Portis without that trade. I don't like that we gave up AJ Johnson, but... that's over with.

So if it's now or later in the year, he's a trade chip. It doesn't all have to happen now...right?

 

Kuminga is a really interesting target, but I'd really hold off on dealing that until Giannis extends or doesn't. 

I saw an article that was trying to find the "right way" to use Kuzma (making lemonade as he says...).  It was basically focused on Kuzma at PF; so Giannis' backup.  The skillsets are pretty similar (though a large gap in the quality of those skillsets) and advocated that the two shouldn't be on the court at the same time.  Though in a small-ball config with Giannis at C, it should still work.  Also using Kuzma in a pick-n-roll role helps because it forces his defender to be up on him and not sagging off to play a soft zone. 

So basically, if you have Kuzma in the game when Giannis isn't and have a few minutes of the game with some overlap and limit the SF role for Kuzma (where his lack of 3PT shooting hurts), we would maximize K's strengths (and minimize his minutes). 

[nate82]

33 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

So basically, if you have Kuzma in the game when Giannis isn't and have a few minutes of the game with some overlap and limit the SF role for Kuzma (where his lack of 3PT shooting hurts), we would maximize K's strengths (and minimize his minutes). 

That seems overly complex for Doc to follow.  

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I saw an article that was trying to find the "right way" to use Kuzma (making lemonade as he says...).  It was basically focused on Kuzma at PF; so Giannis' backup.  The skillsets are pretty similar (though a large gap in the quality of those skillsets) and advocated that the two shouldn't be on the court at the same time.  Though in a small-ball config with Giannis at C, it should still work.  Also using Kuzma in a pick-n-roll role helps because it forces his defender to be up on him and not sagging off to play a soft zone. 

So basically, if you have Kuzma in the game when Giannis isn't and have a few minutes of the game with some overlap and limit the SF role for Kuzma (where his lack of 3PT shooting hurts), we would maximize K's strengths (and minimize his minutes). 

That makes sense, but we're also in a reality in which it sounds like Giannis is going to be the primary PG this year... so I really don't know what that means for PT or a rotation. Are we going with a big lineup or is this just a way to get Trent and Porter on the floor with Giannis, Turner and I still assume Kuzma? Or Green actually. I'd prefer to see him get more PT.

 

I'm not quite giving up on the Bucks, but I'm also about half checked out. I don't trust Doc... or frankly this organization. They are the antithesis of the Brewers. They don't develop young players. I think Beauchamp had all the tools to be a contributor, I think Jackson Jr is a guy who plays ugly but is effective. 

I'd almost prefer AJJ over Kuzma. 

But, that's getting off-topic. I just hope we can shine that turd up enough that we can get him shooting 40%+ with Giannis attacking and maybe we can deal him. 

[CheezWizHed]

14 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

That makes sense, but we're also in a reality in which it sounds like Giannis is going to be the primary PG this year... so I really don't know what that means for PT or a rotation. Are we going with a big lineup or is this just a way to get Trent and Porter on the floor with Giannis, Turner and I still assume Kuzma? Or Green actually. I'd prefer to see him get more PT.

 

I'm not quite giving up on the Bucks, but I'm also about half checked out. I don't trust Doc... or frankly this organization. They are the antithesis of the Brewers. They don't develop young players. I think Beauchamp had all the tools to be a contributor, I think Jackson Jr is a guy who plays ugly but is effective. 

I'd almost prefer AJJ over Kuzma. 

But, that's getting off-topic. I just hope we can shine that turd up enough that we can get him shooting 40%+ with Giannis attacking and maybe we can deal him. 

I'm not a Doc fan, but he does play younger players...that can play.  Beauchamp was a miss.  AJJ got some play last year, but needs growth yet.  Green is a good example of a player that steadily improved each year and has been making meaningful contributions.  I'm interested in what Rollins will bring this year.  It is really hard to develop rookies when you are constantly drafting late (or every other year without a 1st rounder).  There is talent there, but it is much harder to mine talent that way.  And my first gripe about our front office would be our lack of ability in drafting.  

I had checked out on the season until their crazy offseason push.  I'm interested on what our defense will be like this year.  If we can jump up in defense and Giannis stays healthy, I think they will be right back up at top 4 in the East.  If they can't do defense...well, it will be a long year. 

[adambr2]

Bucks sign Amir Coffey. Sneaky good deal. That’s as solid of bench depth as you’ll find for that price at this time of year.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

On 8/14/2025 at 9:35 PM, adambr2 said:

Bucks sign Amir Coffey. Sneaky good deal. That’s as solid of bench depth as you’ll find for that price at this time of year.

Agree. I was pretty surprised looking at his numbers. 

[adambr2]

Bucks with their annual “your brother is here, so….” signing.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46121973/bucks-re-sign-thanasis-antetokounmpo-one-year-deal

[CheezWizHed]

23 hours ago, adambr2 said:

Bucks with their annual “your brother is here, so….” signing.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46121973/bucks-re-sign-thanasis-antetokounmpo-one-year-deal

Nuts. I was hoping that last year's injury recovery would provide a good template for the future of "let's just have him be the enthusiasm coach (i.e. cheerleader) from now on. 

[HarryDoyle]

Must be nice to have a superstar brother to make sure you have a long, extremely profitable NBA career even though no other team would want you.

[Matt Breen]

On 9/1/2025 at 11:35 AM, adambr2 said:

Bucks with their annual “your brother is here, so….” signing.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46121973/bucks-re-sign-thanasis-antetokounmpo-one-year-deal

Dude has milked his name for six years with the Bucks. At about $2m per season - not a bad gig. At least he seems to play hard when he's out on the court. I like his energy. 

[Samurai Bucky]

14 hours ago, Matt Breen said:

Dude has milked his name for six years with the Bucks. At about $2m per season - not a bad gig. At least he seems to play hard when he's out on the court. I like his energy. 

Isn't that about how much some backup quarterbacks make to hold a clipboard?  I agree with you -- he seems to bring about a positive energy to the locker room.

[sveumrules]

Thanasis is the best 15th Man in the Association, because it means Giannis is your 1st Man.

[adambr2]

Yeah, I have no issue with the Thanasis thing. I mean he obviously isn’t good, but probably hardly any better or worse than any other 15th man. It’s not like he’s so bad that him having a roster spot is a mockery.

Someone has to fill that spot. If throwing a couple million at Giannis’ brother to fill the spot makes him happy, it’s worth it.

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, adambr2 said:

Yeah, I have no issue with the Thanasis thing. I mean he obviously isn’t good, but probably hardly any better or worse than any other 15th man. It’s not like he’s so bad that him having a roster spot is a mockery.

Someone has to fill that spot. If throwing a couple million at Giannis’ brother to fill the spot makes him happy, it’s worth it.

That, and obviously keeping Giannis happy.

But... am I crazy, or was there not at least an opportunity for the Bucks to develop him into a solid defensive player. 

Not Dennis Rodman obviously, but he's extremely athletic, he's thick, physical. 

Did they just never push him because he was Giannis' brother or is it because they just knew he couldn't play the game without about 3 15 yard unnecessary roughness penalties per game?

 

Still makes more sense than Udonis Haslem. Miami actually develops the last few guys on their roster and you still had a guy who played like 350 minutes TOTAL his last 7 years with a team for morale. He couldn't' do that without dressing?

[GAME05]

Most teams don't even bother filling the 15th roster spot, so if ours goes to a rah-rah guy, so be it. It's not like we ever have any draft picks taking up that seat.

[CheezWizHed]

My main gripe about the 15th spot would be that it is better served to sift through a group of young guys in the hunt of a gem.  Given our lack of draft picks, we should be spending our limited resources on finding young blood.  Yes, it is a long shot and yes, it is somewhat a waste given how much we play the youngsters... but it is still a better use of the spot, IMO.

Thanasis can earn $2M as a coach. 

[Brian]

Just heard on Spectrum, Bucks will be 58 years old at the start of this season. That was 2 years before Lou Alcindor.  

[Brian]

Just heard on Spectrum Giannis has COVID and training camp starts tomorrow. 

[CheezWizHed]

17 hours ago, Brian said:

Just heard on Spectrum Giannis has COVID and training camp starts tomorrow.