Projected starting lineup: Milwaukee Bucks
Point Guard: Damian Lillard
Shooting Guard: Grayson Allen
Small Forward: Khris Middleton
Power Forward: Giannis Antetounkmpo
Center: Brook Lopez
After a disappointing end to their 2022–23 season, the Bucks initially had a messy offseason. They fired their head coach, nearly lost starting center Brook Lopez to the Houston Rockets, and have seen their best player, Giannis Antetounkmpo, suggest that he was open to leaving Milwaukee.
Then the Damian Lillard trade happened. Now, all of that is seemingly forgotten with the Bucks pairing Giannis with a top-15 player who is under contract for the next four seasons. They didn’t even give up all that much to get him, with Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, two pick swaps, and an unprotected first being worth it to acquire one of the best offensive players in the NBA.
It’s not entirely without risk; they aren’t as deep, though adding Cam Payne for the minimum helps, and it’s possible that Lopez could regress this season with him turning 36. On the other hand, Middleton missed long stretches of last season and didn’t play nearly as well as he normally has. Better health from him, and Giannis and Dame will have plenty of help, and the Bucks will have a strong chance in a crowded East.