Camille Davis and Justin Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Bucks podcast, with your daily Locked On Bucks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bucks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Are the Milwaukee Bucks Still Searching for their Starting Lineup?
Jan 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sets up a play in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu/Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Bucks’ Starting Lineup Conundrum: Analyzing the Best Five-Man Groups
The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads with their starting lineup, and it’s time to take a closer look at which players need to be on the court together. With Khris Middleton’s return from injury, the team has reverted to a familiar starting five, but the results have been less than stellar.
The numbers don’t lie. When Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Middleton share the floor, the Bucks’ offensive rating plummets to 104.3, placing them in the seventh percentile league-wide. This is a far cry from last season when this trio was the cornerstone of the team’s success.
Defensively, the story isn’t much better. With a 111.1 defensive rating, they’re performing slightly worse than the team’s overall top-10 defense. The stark contrast to last year’s dominance is concerning, to say the least.
However, it’s important to note that Middleton has only played in 10 games this season. The sample size is small, and there’s an argument to be made for giving this lineup more time to gel.
Interestingly, when we look at the lineup featuring Taurean Prince in place of Middleton, the offensive numbers improve significantly. The team’s offensive rating jumps to 114.6, while the defense remains relatively stable. Prince’s ability to space the floor and his chemistry with Giannis and Lillard cannot be overlooked.
The Impact of Role Players
One player who’s making a strong case for more minutes is A.J. Green. When he’s on the floor with Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks are in the 99th percentile for field goal attempts at the rim and effective field goal percentage. His shooting ability creates space for Giannis to operate, and the team’s corner three-point shooting leads the league when this trio is on the court.
As we approach the trade deadline, these lineup decisions become even more crucial. The Bucks need to figure out what they have and what they might need to acquire to make a deep playoff run.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ lineup options, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• The declining role of Andre Jackson Jr. and its implications
• Upcoming matchup against the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama
• Jimmy Butler trade rumors and potential Bucks involvement
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The recent matchup against the Raptors revealed key takeaways for the Bucks, including notable performances by Giannis and Damian Lillard. This game highlighted areas for potential strategic adjustments. (Brew Hoop)
Rumor Speculation is mounting as an analyst suggests a new trade package could be in the works for the Bucks, aimed at acquiring a disgruntled star to bolster their roster. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Analysis An in-depth look at whether Jimmy Butler could solve the Bucks’ issues suggests that while he brings strengths, the team might need additional help from other areas. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for the Bucks’ remaining 2024-25 schedule provide insights into their potential performance and playoff positioning. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Spurs are set to play against the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks maintain their momentum after a blowout win over the Toronto Raptors? With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge, the Bucks put together a much needed win over the Toronto Raptors. Explore the dynamics of the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent victory, and what went differently for this team against another sub-.500 opponent.
What’s up with the Milwaukee Bucks losing to sub-.500 teams? This episode explores the impact of illness on key players, the reintegration of Khris Middleton, and the team’s fluctuating offensive and defensive rankings. Camille Davis, alongside insights from Doc Rivers, Antetokounmpo and Lillard, breaks down the Bucks’ performance issues and potential solutions.
A 4th Quarter Comeback Falls Short in an Ugly Milwaukee Bucks Loss to the Brooklyn Nets Can the Milwaukee Bucks bounce back after their recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets? With star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in the spotlight, the Bucks’ performance in the NBA is under scrutiny.
