The Milwaukee Bucks failed to put up a confidence-inspiring performance against the Knicks on Sunday afternoon, losing 140-106. Even though the 20-17 fourth-seeded team was just one game away, their 0-8 record against the East’s elite in Cleveland, Boston and New York has become a ubiquitous concern about Milwaukee’s title potential.
In the world of media narrative, losing to the Knicks like that wiped out some of the positive momentum the Bucks had regained after their three-game winning streak entering Sunday. It also provides ample fodder for real problems.
While this is by no means a low in an up-and-down season, Milwaukee’s stock certainly isn’t very high right now after the team suffered a loss in a marquee game that could have proven it had potential.
However, if they make a move at a significant trade deadline, the lineup could grow significantly once the deal dust settles.
Will this team be perceived completely differently after the February 6 deadline?
After a terrible loss to the New York Knicks, the Milwaukee Bucks could get a boost if they get aid from Giannis
Taking a look at the betting markets can provide useful data to simply gauge the convergence of expert and public opinion on specific teams and players.
Before Sunday’s news, the best price for the Bucks to win the conference finals was +1200, giving them an implied probability of 7.69%. Then it clicked +1500or 6.25%.
Clearly, the Bucks are a team that needs aid, whether it’s an internal transformation or acquiring outside talent, and the idea isn’t that they have a chance to win in the East. Rather, given the higher odds, it could be intriguing to see how these odds could change if Milwaukee makes a splash.
Action Network’s Matt Moore, senior NBA writer and host of the Buckets podcast, said so in the program:
“I’d love to hear about an attempt to piece together the rumors surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks because I believe there could be a significant change in their structure that would potentially make them a better team in the long run and also in the playoffs.”
Well, fans would certainly hope that a trade would significantly improve this lineup. What would a +1500 ticket look like in six weeks if, say, the Bucks had Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, or even Cam Johnson or RJ Barrett? What would be the chances then? There will be a transition period, of course, but if they play some really good basketball in the weeks following the trade, the Bucks could regain solemn consideration — and not just the honor of being a fringe franchise — as a title-contending team.
Moore explained that there is no reason to invest in the team (or as fans to get too hopeful) based on the latest rumors or trade projections, but it is a factor to keep in mind as the deadline approaches.
In a perfect world
If the Bucks do nothing before the deadline, Moore admitted that “the results could be disastrous” for bettors – they would essentially be stuck with a dead bet. This observation is also compelling because it suggests, in the opinion of at least one analyst, that Milwaukee does not pose a likely threat by design. Despite Doc Rivers’ confidence, many fans agree after beating the Knicks.
Fellow Action Network writer Jim Turvey offered an opposing viewpoint that the Giannis-era Bucks had already won a title, proving they could hit their ceiling as a team. Moore admitted that Milwaukee is still “finals capable” simply because of Giannis’ dominance and fatigue from fighting him in a seven-game series.
However, this will only work if “everything works well.” Outside of regular season tournament appearances and championships that don’t even count towards their record, it’s simply not enough to indicate that the team will get there with the guys they have.
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