Milwaukee Bucks: 2017-18 NBA season preview
Roster
Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF
Joel Anthony, C
Malcolm Brogdon, PG
Sterling Brown, SG
Matthew Dellavedova, PG
Gerald Green, SG
John Henson, PF/C
Thon Maker, PF/C
Kendall Marshall, PG
Khris Middleton, SG/SF
Greg Monroe, PF/C
Jabari Parker, PF
Gary Payton II, PG
Brandon Rush, SG/SF
Tony Snell, SG/SF
Mirza Teletovic, PF
Jason Terry, SG
Rashad Vaughn, SG
D.J. Wilson, PF
James Young, SG
Offseason Additions
Joel Anthony (free agent, San Antonio), Sterling Brown (No. 46 overall pick, SMU), Gerald Green (free agent, Boston), Kendall Marshall (free agent, Philadelphia 76ers), Brandon Rush (free agent, Minnesota Timberwolves), D.J. Wilson (No. 17 overall pick, Michigan), James Young (free agent, Boston)
Offseason Departures
Michael Beasley (free agent, New York Knicks), Spencer Hawes (waived, unclaimed)
Quick Thoughts
This roster begins and ends with Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s best two-way players who still brimming with potential. The length, speed and dexterity to run fast breaks, throw impossible passes around defenders, and dunk from seemingly anywhere inside the arc is a combination not seen in the league in a long time, if ever.
But the roster is filled out around him with players who fit the plan, and if nothing else the Bucks will be a headache for every single team that faces them. The sheer length of the defenders spread around the court swallow up passing lanes and provide continually moving obstacles for any opponent to process on the fly.
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, and fellow sophomore Thon Maker will enter their second seasons with hopes of becoming more. Each gave positive contributions last season, but a major step up from either could be the key to unlocking this team’s ceiling.
Khris Middleton enters the season fully healthy, and could challenge for an All-Star berth. Jabari Parker could be an All-Star himself in the future, but this season will be about getting healthy. With the starting lineup set (at least as long as Parker is out), determining the bench rotation will be an important decision for the coaching staff.
Training camp will provide an opportunity to let a handful of veterans fight for what should be just one spot. Gary Payton II ended the season on the roster, but the Bucks brought in James Young, Kendall Marshall and Brandon Rush to fight for the reserve guard spot.