Now that the calendar has flipped to 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks are starting to show signs of their usual promise after a rocky start to the season.
However, as the team ramps up for the second half of the year, a few key storylines will dictate whether they can truly contend for a championship.
Let’s break down the critical factors that could make or break the Bucks’ 2025 season.
1. Can they beat the league’s top teams?
The Bucks are back to winning ways after a shaky start, but there’s still one glaring question: can they compete with the league’s elite teams and finally start punching above their weight class?
Despite their improved form, the Bucks have yet to secure a statement win over one of the top contenders. As the season progresses and the playoffs loom closer, the ability to consistently beat the likes of the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers of the world will be crucial in determining whether this team can truly contend.
They haven't quite done so just yet, but there have been wins against the Houston Rockets and the (injured) Oklahoma City Thunder that were encouraging signs of where this team's ceiling lies. Among playoff teams, they've also won against the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Indiana Pacers, but that's just the thing: those teams are below them.
Obviously, you would want this fifth seed to play better than what their seeding might suggest, but at the moment, the idea of the Bucks still looks better than reality, especially after their recent loss to the young but surging Brooklyn Nets. Look, none of this is to invalidate the clear improvement they've gone through over the past few weeks.
It's only to point out that this team still very much feels vulnerable to young and surging teams that have the fresh legs to outrun their veterans.
Compared to past iterations of the Milwaukee Bucks, they just haven't been dominating lesser teams the way they used to. Blowing out tanking teams isn't the best indicator of championship contention, of course, but it's something you would want to see from a team with playoff aspirations.
With Damian Lillard still finding his rhythm alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, the upcoming matchups against these powerhouses will serve as a measuring stick for the Bucks’ championship aspirations.
2. Health remains a major question mark
Health continues to be the biggest question mark for the Bucks.
With the trio of Lillard, Antetokounmpo and Middleton still struggling to stay on the court together, the team’s overall chemistry remains a work in progress. The injuries have disrupted their rhythm and cohesion, and as the Bucks head deeper into the season, the team must figure out how to keep its stars on the floor while also building the necessary chemistry for a championship run.
A healthy, fully operational trio will make all the difference in how the Bucks fare come playoff time.
It was clear at the start of the season, and it's clear now: the Bucks' biggest enemy is not the Celtics or Cavaliers; it's themselves.
3. Are the young Bucks ready for the playoffs?
The emergence of young talent such as AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr. and Ryan Rollins has given the Milwaukee Bucks an unexpected boost in depth. While they’ve been key contributors during the regular season, the real question is whether they will be ready for the intensity of the playoffs. Will they be able to step up in crucial moments and make an impact when the pressure is at its highest?
This is where the veterans like Taurean Prince and Gary Trent Jr. come in—will they be able to step in and carry the load if Doc Rivers shortens the rotation? The development of the young Bucks could be the difference between an early exit and a deep postseason run.
4. Will a trade happen to shore up the roster?
At this point, players like MarJon Beauchamp, Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis have settled into their roles, and it's getting clearer by the day that they are what they are on the court.
While they contribute in different ways, they aren’t likely to be the ones who push the Bucks over the top in a championship run.
The Bucks have known general manager Jon Horst to be a fan of late-season moves before the deadline to land veteran talent to equip the team further. With the trade deadline approaching, will the Bucks make a move to address any lingering weaknesses? Whether it’s adding more depth at the center position, a wing scorer or improving the bench, a well-timed trade could be just the thing to push this team into legitimate title contention.
The road to another championship will not be easy. The Milwaukee Bucks face a series of challenges that will test their resilience and determination. But with a talented roster and a dedicated coaching staff, they still very much have the potential to overcome these obstacles and once again contend for the NBA title.
As the Bucks head into the heart of 2025, these storylines will be the ones to watch. Can they beat the top teams, stay healthy, rely on their young players in the postseason, and possibly make a trade to improve the roster? The answers to these questions will determine whether this team’s journey ends with another championship or falls short once again.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.