3 Unmistakable reasons to be optimistic about the 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks
By Dalton Sell
The Bucks added more defensive help
The Milwaukee Bucks were not a good defensive team last season. They were undoubtedly expected to take a step back after trading away Jrue Holiday and losing perimeter defenders like Jevon Carter and Wesley Matthews, but they basically fell off a cliff. Understanding they needed help on that side of things, general manager Jon Horst did his part to beef up the defensive personnel on his roster.
In free agency, the Bucks added Delon Wright and Taurean Prince on minimum contracts, which was considered a steal by many. Both players bring more defensive versatility to the roster, giving coach Doc Rivers two lengthy, savvy defenders who can be matched up with a litany of different positions on the perimeter, something this roster really didn't have last year.
By strengthening Milwaukee's defensive efforts on the perimeter, they will also help Brook Lopez as he protects the hoop. Last year, opposing players waltzed to the hoop largely unbothered, making it harder for Lopez to get into position and swat their shots. This year, players like Wright and Prince can slow them down as they get to the hoop, giving the big man time to set up and contest a shot.
They might not be a top-10 defensive team this coming season, but there's no doubt that the Milwaukee Bucks should be better and more versatile than they were last year.