Bucks picked as team most likley to take a tumble

On the bright side for the Bucks, it doesn’t appear that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is going anywhere. But that may be the only good news for Milwaukee, if you believe ESPN’s Jamal Collier.

According to Collier, Milwaukee is the team that’s most likely to take a tumble in 2025-26.

Why is that? Well, Collier explained.

“The Bucks top this list because of the mounting uncertainty surrounding the franchise at the perceived end of its contention window,” he wrote. “Antetokounmpo is still one of the best players in the world. Still, the talent gap between him and the rest of the roster is striking, even after Milwaukee made an unprecedented move to sign Myles Turner in free agency.”

The piece went on to call Milwaukee’s decision to waive Damian Lillard and sign Turner “an act of desperation by the Bucks to cling to the last of Antetokounmpo’s prime.”

Perhaps. But the Bucks had to do something. And Turner will help them a lot more than the injured Lillard (now with the Trail Blazers) would have. 

Nonetheless, Collier brought up some valid points.

“The Bucks’ plan for success this season will be to lean heavily on Antetokounmpo,” he wrote. “The two-time MVP has shouldered massive tasks before, but getting this roster into contention without a clear second star will require, perhaps, his most herculean effort. Milwaukee began last season 2-8, then found a way to rally and make the playoffs before exiting in the first round.

“Will the Bucks have the patience and confidence to bounce back if they get off to a slow start again this season?”

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