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5 Teams Who Could Make The NBA Playoffs Next Season

By Carter Johnson

Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Bucks
Jan 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) reacts with center Greg Monroe (15) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after scoring a basket in the first quarter against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks

Though the Milwaukee Bucks struggled tremendously last season after making the playoffs the year prior, they started to find their identity towards the end of the year.

Fans witnessed the emergence of a young star in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who thrived after being moved to the point guard spot by head coach Jason Kidd and averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while posting five phenomenal triple-doubles last season.

In addition to the Greek Freak, the Bucks saw significant growth in sophomore forward Jabari Parker and fourth-year guard Khris Middleton, who averaged 14.1 and 18.2 points per game, respectively.

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However, the team had and still has two monumental obstacles to overcome in the lackluster play and enormous contracts of center Greg Monroe and point guard Michael Carter-Williams.

The team added both depth and potential to their roster this offseason, taking a chance on high-risk, high-reward prospect Thon Maker with the 10th overall pick in the draft and adding a steady role player with championship experience in Matthew Dellavedova.

With tons of youth, length and positional versatility in both their frontcourt and backcourt, the Bucks could become a serious matchup nightmare for teams next season.

Provided that they remain healthy, the core trio of Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Parker will continue to make strides from the end of their 2015-16 season and the team’s new additions are consistent enough to provide steady backup.

More hoops habit: Milwaukee Bucks: 2016 Offseason Grades

Once they figure out what to do with Monroe and Carter-Williams, the Bucks should regain the defensive prowess they had in 2014-15 to go along with their newfound offensive fluidity, which will definitely spell trouble for the rest of the Eastern Conference.