Remember when the Milwaukee Bucks won their second NBA title three years ago? The core of the team is still alive. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez are still active. However, the franchise has continued to suffer because of unfortunate injuries. Damian Lillard‘s addition was one of Milwaukee’s biggest moves, but the star guard struggled during his transition. Of course, leaving his home, Portland wasn’t easy for Dame, especially after playing 11 seasons there. Nevertheless, are the Bucks an undervalued squad following their recent playoff run?

There are a lot of reasons. It is more likely that the Bucks will have difficulty establishing themselves as a serious threat in the East next year. Or will they? Looking at each of their core players, one can argue that Milwaukee is not headed toward its brightest season. Brian Windhorst believes that the Bucks are being undervalued because of various factors including Giannis and Middleton’s injuries.

“I’m just gonna say that the Bucks are being undervalued. I am not saying they should be the favorite. You know Giannis has been hurt in the playoffs and Dame last year was by his own admission, was out of his element. He openly has been saying that the transition was bigger than he thought. I think it’s reasonable to think that, that pairing will work better… And then the injuries. Middleton, his whole situation, being out for so long…”, Windhorst said on the ‘NBA on ESPN’ show.

In their last two playoff appearances, the Bucks had to play without their star forward. Giannis missed the entirety of the 2024 playoffs and missed crucial games in the first-round series against the Heat in 2023. But that doesn’t hide the fact that the Greek Freak played on an MVP level, finishing top five in the voting since 2019. Not to mention, had Giannis not been injured, the outlook of the East may have been different. Many had surprised faces this year after Giannis did not receive a single MVP vote. Now, apart from that, Middleton went through surgeries in his both ankles this offseason. He was one of the main players to have led the Bucks in the first round against the Pacers this year.

If that isn’t enough to justify that the Bucks have been stumbling, Damian Lillard’s situation is not any good either. Other than his injuries, Lillard’s off-court drama was distracting enough. “Dame was going through a lot last year off the floor as well.”, said Tim MacMahon. Dame’s divorce settlement caught quite the attention last year along with the custody battle with his ex-wife who demanded sole custody of their three kids.

In addition to all the drama pouring on the Bucks, Brook Lopez, their primary center is in his mid-30s. His age can become a factor depending on how the next season unfolds. Nevertheless, are the Bucks on the same tier as teams like the Knicks, the Celtics, and the Sixers?

Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have a lot on their plate

A simple answer would be, yes. The Bucks are as tough as the toppers of the East, but there’s a catch. This would only be the case if the Bucks had a healthy roster throughout the year. Especially during the postseason. At the end of the day, Milwaukee can always rely on Giannis who’s quite frankly in the middle of his prime along with Damian Lillard who doesn’t fail to impress with his shooting consistency when it matters the most.

On the other hand, a healthy Khris Middleton also plays a huge factor. The 33-year-old is an excellent defender and shooter and can even dominate from the mid-range when needed. Lopez, the 7-foot-1 center has proved to be a highly efficient big man with a much-needed shooting touch. If the Bucks manage to pull off a healthy regular season, there is no doubt that the squad can rank top 4 in the East.

While Boston, New York, and Philly might be a threat heading into the next season, there are a few emerging teams that the Bucks shouldn’t neglect. They already faced the best version of the Pacers. But the Magic and the Cavs are also squads to look out for. Yes, they might not be the toppers of the East, but come playoff time, and these squads won’t be so easy to go up against. Regardless, Giannis and company are definitely among the contenders in the Conference.

Their success as a franchise seemed to have depended on a healthy season lately. However, the Bucks will look to establish a threat in the East similar to recent years when Antetokounmpo won his back-to-back MVP titles. It will be interesting to see whether the stars remain healthy throughout seven months. Besides, guys like Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright will be a considerable backup for them.

What are your thoughts on Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Bucks? Do you think Milwaukee is undervalued heading into the next season? Let us know in the comments.