The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a plethora of questions surrounding their roster going into the 2024-25 NBA season. After trading Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen for Damian Lillard last offseason, Milwaukee was supposed to be a team that was built for the NBA Playoffs. And perhaps they were, or at least could have been, had Giannis Antetokounmpo not gotten hurt.

Oct 20, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets pressure from Memphis Grizzlies center Jake LaRavia (3) and guard Marcus Smart (36) at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Giannis was not the only player hurt during the Bucks’ brief appearance in the postseason before they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers. Lillard re-injured his Achilles and was severely limited later in the series, even missing a game. Khris Middleton was able to play the whole series, but once again was playing on an injured leg.

It Was Clear the Milwaukee Bucks Did Not Have a Good Enough Supporting Cast

Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Without Giannis playing at all in the series and with Lillard not at full strength, the Bucks struggled to field a team that could keep up with the younger and faster Pacers team. Middleton played extremely well, averaging 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He recorded four double-doubles in the series and scored 42 points in a Game Three loss.

Unfortunately, no one else on the Bucks’ roster stepped up in the same way Middleton did. Bobby Portis got himself ejected from a game, Malik Beasley was exposed horribly on defense (as he was throughout the regular season), and the rest of Milwaukee’s reserves were simply not good enough.

In particular, the Bucks’ struggled defending the Pacers’ three point attempts and keeping up with their transition offense. Brook Lopez is still an elite rim protector, but that became a moot point during the series because of how hot the Pacers were from beyond the arc.

Patrick Beverley provided staunch defense, but he is a free agent and likely will cost more than Milwaukee can afford. In fact, most free agents are going to cost more than the Bucks will be able to pay because of their status as repeat second apron spenders.

NBA Analyst Suggests the Milwaukee Bucks Should Try to Trade for Marcus Smart

May 13, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) gestures during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks during game six of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Since Milwaukee cannot afford to get a high-profile three-and-D wing in free agency, the could look for one on the trade market. If that is the route they choose to pursue, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes that Memphis Grizzlies star Marcus Smart would be the Bucks’ dream trade target:

“Marcus Smart is a few seasons removed from his Defensive Player of the Year award, although he remains a huge upgrade in perimeter defense from anyone the Milwaukee Bucks currently have on their roster.

“The Bucks finished just 19th defensively last season. Putting Smart in the starting backcourt next to Damian Lillard gives Milwaukee a stopper on defense who brings 108 games of playoff experience from his time with the Boston Celtics. It would also be the perfect counter to Boston’s trading for Jrue Holiday last offseason.

“Milwaukee is limited in trade assets and may have to turn one of their veterans (Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis) into multiple veterans who can play. Depth was a real issue following the trade for Lillard.

“With Giannis Antetokounmpo, this team should still have championship aspirations. Injuries may have ruined their 2023-24 season, although a few roster tweaks and some defensive help could have the Bucks back in the title hunt.”

As Swartz notes, trading for Smart would cost the Bucks at least one of their core players. It is also questionable if Milwaukee would trade for the former Defensive Player of the Year after he was limited to just 20 games last season.

It is worth noting, though, that before he got hurt, Smart was averaging 14.5 points per game, the most in his career. The 2.1 steals per game he was averaging also were a career high.

To be honest, a starting lineup of Lillard, Smart, Middleton, Giannis, and Lopez would be one of the most feared in the NBA.

That still would not solve the problem of depth, however.

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