The Milwaukee Bucks have always surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo with 3-point shooting, but it looks like they now want to take it a step even further. In a conversation with The Athletic's Eric Nehm (subscription required), Jon Horst, Milwaukee's general manager, revealed that he wants the tweaked Bucks to get up even more 3-point shots next season.
Bucks will get up even more perimeter shots, and Giannis will help
Horst made a great point. While the Milwaukee Bucks had the best 3-point percentage in the NBA at 38.7 percent, they ranked just 18th in attempts per game last season. He says that if Milwaukee can maintain that efficiency while climbing into the top 10 in attempts per game, this team's productivity could reach new heights.
Even with Damian Lillard, one of the NBA's best long-distance shooters, out of the picture, Jon Horst thinks the Bucks have the personnel to get it done. He's not wrong.
AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. should see significant minutes, as they are two of the best in the game at heaving the long ball. Myles Turner ranked second in 3-pointers made by a center last regular season. Despite his playoff drop-off, Taurean Prince was one of the most efficient marksmen league-wide last year. Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr. are both also more than capable.
There are a few wild cards in there. Can Kyle Kuzma capitalize on all of the floor spacing and have his best 3-point shooting year? How about Cole Anthony? He was on a poor shooting Orlando team last year, but he might have more shooting around him than ever before. If Gary Harris sees time, can he return to form and be a marksman once again? It's the best path to minutes for those three.
An uptick in 3-point production starts with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he won't be the one shooting them consistently. Instead, he will serve as the primary ball-handler, and when defenses surround him down low, it will be up to him to find the open shooters. It's a formula the Milwaukee Bucks have relied on for years now, but with no other ball-dominant player, it will be cranked up to 11 this season.
Don't be shocked if Giannis blows his previous career high of 6.5 assists per game, which came in each of the past two seasons with Damian Lillard in town, out of the water in 2025-26.
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