In this limited 30-part series, we shall be discussing each team’s latest developments, current roster, and future prospects in the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season. For every team, we will examine bit-by-bit the important aspects that may shape its progress and provide a rough projection of how it will fare vis-à-vis its previous year’s performance and versus the rest of the league.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
2021-2022 Season Win-Loss Record:
51-31
Depth Chart:
PG – Jrue Holiday, George Hill, Jevon Carter , Lindwell Wigginton
SG – Grayson Allen, Wesley Matthews, MarJon Beauchamp, Luca Vildoza
SF – Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Jordan Nwora
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
CE – Brook Lopez, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Serge Ibaka
Injury Updates:
No significant injuries.
Head Coach:
Mike Budenholzer
Headliners:
The year after their championship run, Khris Middleton was saddled by a wrist injury that started bothering him midseason. Now, the Milwaukee Bucks are expecting to begin the 2022-2023 campaign without the three-time All Star, who underwent surgery on that troublesome wrist early in July.
In last year’s playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated by the Boston Celtics, the eventual Eastern Conference champions, in seven games. It would have been a different story had Middleton been healthy to help the Bucks contain Boston’s top players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in that tightly contested second-round series.
As always, Giannis Antetokounmpo was magnificent during that playoff run, but it was obvious that the two-time league MVP and his team badly missed the services of their versatile wingman, who only played two games in their first round series with the Bulls.
They will have to make do with possibly Pat Connaughton starting at small forward, while Middleton recuperates. Jordan Nwora, Wesley Matthews, Thanasis Antetokounmpo will probably alternate for that spot while Middleton is away.
The Bucks selected 6’6” shooting guard MarJon Beauchamp with the 24th overall pick in the latest NBA Rookie Draft. His accelerated development may be expected, as he may get valuable minutes as secondary backup to presumptive starting 2-guard Grayson Allen at the get-go.
Jrue Holiday will continue to start at point and Brook Lopez completes the starting unit at the center spot. This is basically the same core that won the championship way back in 2021. They already have chemistry and discipline, with a few new and old pieces here and there. They’re somewhat overlooked, particularly because they didn’t generate enough noise during the off-season, but any team with Giannis Antetokounmpo in it will always have a legitimate shot at the championship.
We’re about to find out whether a healthy Khris Middleton will once again make a difference.
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