The Milwaukee Bucks might be off to a rocky start this season, but make no mistake - they’re not waving the white flag. Despite a sub-.500 record and their franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined with a calf strain, the Bucks’ front office is staying aggressive. According to league sources, Milwaukee has made it clear to other teams: they’re looking to add talent, not tear things down.
At 11-16, the Bucks find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is a team that’s been a fixture atop the Eastern Conference in recent years, and while the early-season results have been uneven, there’s still belief within the organization that this group can turn things around - especially with Giannis expected back in the fold.
Of course, the chatter around Giannis’ long-term future has started to bubble up again. That’s what happens when a team underperforms and its superstar is watching from the sidelines.
But it’s worth noting: Giannis is under contract through the 2027-28 season, with a player option in that final year. The Bucks aren’t operating like a team worried about losing him - they’re acting like a team trying to give him more help.
That help could come in the form of a significant roster addition. Milwaukee was already active this past offseason, signing center Myles Turner and making the bold move to stretch and waive Damian Lillard’s contract over a five-year span. But even with those moves, the roster still has some holes - particularly on the wing.
Right now, the Bucks are guard-heavy, with a glut of players 6-foot-5 and under. Meanwhile, veteran forward Taurean Prince is out with a neck injury, thinning an already shallow wing rotation. That imbalance has shown up on both ends of the court, and it’s something Milwaukee seems determined to address.
Financially, the Bucks have some room to maneuver. They’re sitting more than $11.5 million below the luxury tax threshold and nearly $19.5 million under the first tax apron.
That gives them some flexibility to absorb salary, especially from a team looking to offload longer or pricier deals. It’s not a blank check, but it’s enough to make something happen if the right opportunity presents itself.
The challenge? Draft capital.
Milwaukee has just one future first-round pick available to trade, which limits their leverage in talks. That means any move will likely require creativity - either taking on a less desirable contract or finding a team desperate to shed salary before the deadline.
Still, the message from Milwaukee is clear: they’re not backing down. They’re looking to compete, to retool on the fly, and to give Giannis and this core group a shot to get back on track. The standings may not look pretty right now, but the Bucks aren’t thinking about the lottery - they’re thinking about how to get back into the playoff mix.
As the trade deadline approaches, keep an eye on Milwaukee. They’re not done yet.