This Milwaukee Bucks they have one goal for the 2024-25 NBA season: win the NBA Championship. They certainly have the star power needed to do it with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Khris Middleton is also one of the best third options in the league and has proven to be elevating his game in the NBA Playoffs. Whether the Bucks front office can find the right pieces to complement these players remains to be seen.
The 2024 NBA Draft was expected to be an event where Milwaukee could perhaps make some trades and support its roster immediately. Of course, that didn’t happen. Instead, the Bucks drafted AJ Johnson in the first round of the draft (23rd overall) and Tyler Smith in the second round of the draft (33rd overall).
Related: NBA analyst says Milwaukee Bucks missed out on substantial draft night trade
Both Johnson and Smith are 19 years elderly and not yet ready to make an NBA roster. It was clear from their selections that the Bucks were looking to the future while also trying to build a winner in the present. However, while they had prospects that may or may not work out, another Eastern Conference team made a significant trade.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Knicks, have been traded for Mikal Bridges
On the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks made a trade five first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Mikal Bridges. The Knicks, who also boast former Bucks shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, also agreed to re-sign star OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million contract.
With these moves, the Knicks have significantly improved their roster and are now an even bigger threat to the Eastern Conference than before.
So while the Bucks looked to the future, the Knicks focused on the present and improving their chances of winning the NBA Championship next season. Milwaukee, of course, has the same goal. However, they will need to improve their roster in other ways, whether through trades or by signing free agents.
Due to the Bucks’ salary cap (they are in the second tier of the luxury tax), the only free agents they can sign are those willing to play for the veteran minimum wage.
Indeed, improving the squad in the off-season will be a challenge.
Milwaukee Bucks’ chances of winning 2024-25 NBA Championship drop after 2024 NBA Draft
As reported Illustrated Sports, The Bucks had the fifth-best odds to win the NBA Championship next season ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. Their +950 line was also second-best in the Eastern Conference, behind the Boston Celtics, who are the favorites to win again. They had a +290 line before the draft.
After the 2024 NBA Draft, the lines of opportunity have shifted a bit. As reported Illustrated sports (once again) The Bucks are now in fifth place in terms of odds to win the Finals. However, their chances have also decreased slightly. At +1000 odds, they are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, there is no second most favored team in the Eastern Conference to win it all. After trading for Bridges, the Knicks now have the fourth-best odds to win the Finals at +850.
So the Bucks’ odds dropped a bit, but the Knicks also moved up in the odds rankings.
We’ll see what these lines look like after free agency.
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