In The Athletic's recent piece detailing goals for every team down the stretch (subscription required), Eric Nehm says the Milwaukee Bucks should prioritize developing players who will be back next year. Although it hurts, Nehm is right in saying that even making the Play-In Tournament at this stage feels foolish. What a poor season this has been for Milwaukee from top to bottom.
Focusing on next season was an unfathomable outcome in past years
These Milwaukee Bucks are unrecognizable. For years, they were among the juggernauts across the NBA. Teams didn't want to see Milwaukee on the schedule. They were among the most efficient two-way teams on both sides of the basketball and a franchise you couldn't forget in the title-contending conversation yearly. Now, with 16 games left, writers are already talking about next season.
The Bucks have had poor seasons in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era before. Early playoff exits and collapses were a staple of the Mike Budenholzer era. However, even then, it was always crystal clear that they'd be right back in the conversation the following season. Those teams were consistently in the playoff picture. That doesn't hold true for the 2025-26 and beyond Milwaukee Bucks.
Sure, injuries have been an issue for these particular Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. got hurt in the first game of the season and is still working his way back. Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed more games than ever before. That hurts, but it's not like the team has flipped a switch when healthy. No matter who is on the floor, the Bucks have been plagued by the same old issues in a never-ending pattern.
It's going to result in them missing the NBA Playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Bucks' focus will soon shift to the future
Nehm is right in saying the Milwaukee Bucks should look to develop those who will be back next year. Whether or not Giannis is back with the Bucks, AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, and Myles Turner are all pieces under contract for next season and should be core components. Continuing to forge chemistry and seeing what these players can do together will be essential.
Ironically, outside of Giannis, these are all players who have taken a backseat under Doc Rivers lately. Green has been demoted to a bench role amid his struggles. Turner has fallen behind both Jericho Sims and Bobby Portis at the center spot. When the Bucks are fully healthy, Rivers likes sending Rollins to the bench to back up Kevin Porter Jr. rather than fully leaning into playing them together.
A nightmarish season is almost over. The result will have massive implications for the future of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise. Whether that means management, coaching, and/or player movement, changes are coming, and they will likely be bountiful. Getting a head start on next season and going all-in on the players who will likely be back in town would be smart.
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