PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks need their best player on the floor in the playoffs to have any shot next season. He was injured in Game 1 and missed the next two contests in their 2023 upset loss to Miami in the opening round. The Heat went on to reach the NBA Finals. This year, the Greek Freak missed their entire series against the Pacers with a calf strain he suffered in the regular season.
Giannis turns 30 in December but remains elite. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks this season. Antetokounmpo finished fourth in MVP voting and was named first-team All-NBA for the sixth straight year. He made the NBA 75 and is still in his prime.
Back-to-back ill-timed injuries have been frustrating, but should not foreshadow anything. Giannis played in 73 games and has averaged 72 per year over his 11 NBA seasons.
When he is healthy, Milwaukee is a feared team. No team was looking forward to facing the Bucks in the playoffs before Antetokounmpo went out. It did not matter how they had looked all season or if they were still adjusting under new head coach Doc Rivers. Hopefully, Giannis will be on the floor in the playoffs in 2025, and the Bucks can make a run.
For that to be a reality, they will need another strong season from their aging center.