The Milwaukee Bucks face a challenging 2025/26 NBA season, with insider Tim Bontemps expressing serious concerns regarding the team’s prospects. He emphasized the significant burden on star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, suggesting that the Bucks might be fortunate to secure a top-six finish in the league.
Bontemps, in a recent segment on ESPN, pointed out that the current Bucks roster has changed dramatically since the team’s 2021 championship victory. Giannis remains the sole star in a lineup that lacks depth and quality. As the primary “facilitator” of the offense, he is expected to shoulder an immense workload, particularly after participating in the EuroBasket tournament this summer.
“Without Giannis, they would be a lottery team,” Bontemps stated, reflecting on the team’s struggles. He added, “I think they are projected to finish eighth or ninth, by the odds. Their roster is not very good. They’re putting a massive burden on Giannis to be the sole engine of their team for 82 games.”
The statistics underscore the worrying trend regarding Giannis’s availability. Over the last five seasons, he has played an average of only 66 games per season, with his appearances dropping as he ages. The Bucks’ chances of winning dwindle without their two-time MVP on the court, leading to fears that any stretch without him could place them among the bottom teams in the league.
In the same podcast, fellow ESPN writer Tim MacMahon highlighted the increased demands on Giannis. “He’s gonna need to play, likely more minutes, and harder minutes, and being not just the primary facilitator, but pretty damn close to like the sole facilitator,” MacMahon explained. While acknowledging Giannis’s potential for another MVP-level season, he raised doubts about whether the athlete could manage the physical toll required, especially at this stage in his career.
Despite these concerns, Giannis has demonstrated resilience and elite performance, averaging 30 points per game during the 2024/25 season. As he prepares for the upcoming season, the hope remains that he returns healthy from his national team commitments with Greece.
The pressure on Giannis will undoubtedly intensify as the Bucks aim to regain their competitive edge in the league. With heightened expectations and a challenging roster, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the season unfolds for Milwaukee and their star player.
