The Milwaukee Bucks came into this season with high expectations. On paper, they looked like a team ready to contend in the East.
But here we are, nearing the halfway mark, and they’re sitting at 12-19. That’s not just underwhelming - it’s concerning.
Even factoring in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence for eight games (Milwaukee went 2-6 without him), the Bucks were still just 10-13 with him on the floor. This isn’t the version of the Bucks anyone expected.
The good news? Giannis is expected back Saturday night when the Bucks face the Bulls.
But even with their franchise cornerstone returning, Milwaukee has some serious ground to make up. The hole they’ve dug isn’t just about wins and losses - it’s about chemistry, identity, and urgency.
If the Bucks want to climb back into contention - and keep Giannis happy in the long term - they’ll need to figure things out fast.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding their struggles? The offseason decision to let Brook Lopez walk.
Brook Lopez’s Big Night Highlights What Milwaukee Let Go
On Friday night, Lopez reminded everyone just how much he still has left in the tank. Starting for the Clippers - a rare role for him this season - he erupted for 31 points, pulled down five boards, and drilled a career-high nine three-pointers in a 119-103 win over the Trail Blazers.
That’s not a typo. Nine threes.
His previous high? Eight, which came back in 2018 - when he was wearing a Bucks jersey.
It was a vintage performance from a player who’s quietly reinvented himself over the past several years. During his seven-season run in Milwaukee, Lopez transformed from a traditional low-post scorer into one of the league’s most reliable stretch bigs - and a defensive anchor.
He was a key piece of their 2021 championship team, and for good reason: elite rim protection, floor spacing, veteran leadership. He did it all.
But with age starting to show, the Bucks made a calculated decision this past offseason. They let Lopez walk in free agency and brought in Myles Turner, hoping the younger big man could replicate - or even upgrade - what Lopez brought to the table.
So far, that bet hasn’t paid off.
Turner’s Fit Still a Work in Progress
To be fair, Turner and Giannis haven’t had much time together on the court. Injuries have limited their minutes as a duo.
But early returns haven’t been promising. Turner is shooting a respectable 37% from beyond the arc, but that’s still a step behind Lopez, who’s quietly hitting 41% of his threes this year in a reduced role off the Clippers’ bench.
More importantly, Turner hasn’t brought the same defensive presence. He’s a solid shot-blocker in his own right, but he hasn’t been the consistent rim protector or rebounder Milwaukee hoped for. And with the Bucks already struggling to find their defensive identity, that’s a problem.
Lopez, meanwhile, continues to show he can still contribute at a high level - especially when given the opportunity. Friday night wasn’t just a flashback; it was a statement. He may not be the 30-minute-per-night guy he once was, but when called upon, he can still stretch the floor and impact the game on both ends.
What’s Next for the Bucks?
There’s still time for Milwaukee to turn things around. Giannis coming back gives them a shot of adrenaline.
But the margin for error is shrinking. The Eastern Conference isn’t waiting around, and if the Bucks want to re-enter the contender conversation, they’ll need more than just a healthy superstar - they’ll need cohesion, consistency, and some answers to the questions raised by their offseason decisions.
Letting Brook Lopez go may not have seemed like a massive gamble at the time. But nights like Friday make you wonder: should Milwaukee have run it back with the big man for one more year?
Right now, that’s looking like a question with a pretty clear answer.