How can the Bucks save a potentially lost season?

This slow start hasn't been due to Antetokounmpo's play, which is why there has been speculation that he may be unhappy in Milwaukee. He is averaging 31.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, and if the Bucks were any good, he might be leading MVP conversations. 

Antetokounmpo's supporting cast, however, has not matched his play. Brook Lopez is averaging a career-low in points (10.9), Bobby Portis (22.2 percent from three) is having the worst shooting season of his career and everyone looks bad on defense. 

Should the Bucks Trade Damian Lillard?

With the rest of the supporting cast disappointing, the Bucks may need to do something drastic. They have traded away almost all of their picks and assets to get Antetokounmpo support, and their gamble for Lillard hasn't worked. Now, they've surrounded their franchise star with a group of unathletic and aging players who are past their prime. 

The last big positive asset they have is Lillard. Just one season ago, the Bucks and many other suitors were willing to give up a ton to get Lillard. Is this still the case? Lillard is averaging 27.6 points and 6.7 assists, so he definitely could intrigue someone. 

If the Bucks could cut bait from the Lillard experiment and pair Antetokounmpo with some younger, more athletic players, they could turn their horrid season around. Would the Heat or Nets still be interested? They showed a lot of interest in Lillard before he was traded to the Bucks.

The reality is that with Lillard at the point, the Bucks would need to be a top-five offense for all they are giving up on the defensive end. With Antetokounmpo and Lopez both steps slower on defense as well, the Bucks need an influx of youth and athleticism to compete. 

They currently are in the bottom 10 in both offensive and defensive ratings. This is a far fall from the elite defense that kept them in contention year after year under Mike Budenholzer. 

Hope Isn't on the Way

Another potential setback for the Bucks is that star forward Khris Middleton is not progressing well in trying to return from injury. Even if he does return soon, this may help the Bucks get off the floor of the East, but another old, slow teammate to play alongside Antetokounmpo isn't going to vault them back into contention. 

Now that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have made it clear he isn't going anywhere, where do they go from here? Luckily for the Bucks, from the bottom, the only way to go is up.