Bucks struggle to solve point guard puzzle ahead of new season

Eric Nehm of The Athletic highlighted the Bucks’ point guard dilemma on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast, outlining how the team could shape up next season. Despite adding Myles Turner and seeing promising moments from Kevin Porter Jr. last year, the Bucks still enter the season without a reliable answer at the lead guard spot.

Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks among the world’s best players, one of the NBA’s all-time greats, and likely the top talent in Bucks history. Yet he now faces the weakest supporting cast of his career. At the peak of his powers, posting MVP-level numbers every season and driving his team to the playoffs, Antetokounmpo has seen Milwaukee falter repeatedly over the past few years, often in spectacular fashion.

The Bucks lack a real floor-general

The Lillard trade looked promising on paper but quickly unraveled. Milwaukee let Malik Beasley leave, and he emerged as one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooters. Moving Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma has not worked out, and now waiving Lillard saddles the team with $22.5 million in dead money over the next five seasons.

On top of all that, as the Bucks get ready for the new season with Antetokounmpo leading the way, they still lack a clear answer at point guard. Kevin Porter Jr. could have a breakout year and prove to be a bargain, but that remains a big uncertainty.

Lillard still performed at an elite level last season before suffering a late-year injury. Adding Turner with the cap space freed from waiving Lillard was a smart move, but the Bucks essentially swapped one position for another without solving the point guard problem.

Milwaukee will probably run much of its offense through Antetokounmpo, which is logical. The team thrived when they had two other reliable playmakers in Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. While a few players on the current roster could step into those roles, none have proven themselves as secondary creators, leaving a notable hole in the lineup.