Bucks Zone

NBA writer sees the Milwaukee Bucks as one of the top title contenders next season

With their core intact, the Milwaukee Bucks are billed as one of the title contenders next season.

Matthew Dugandzic

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The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the top title contenders next season, according to an NBA writer.

Zak Hanshew of NBC Sports had the Bucks at the No. 4 spot in his 2023-24 NBA Power Rankings. Hanshew’s insights came at the time when NBA Free Agency was almost done.

Leading title contenders

With Bradley Beal joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns are on top of Hanshew’s rankings.

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By keeping their core intact, the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets are poised to repeat, and they were ranked second.

Coming in at third on the list are the Boston Celtics, who have brought in Kristaps Porzingis to join Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

With two key pieces re-signing, Hanshew listed Milwaukee at the fourth spot. Signing sharpshooter Malik Beasley was cited as one of Milwaukee’s notable offseason moves, although Hanshew also noted the departure of point guard Jevon Carter, who moved to the Chicago Bulls.

Milwaukee’s key offseason moves

The Bucks are raring to bounce back after a first-round exit last season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still leading the charge and with Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez still around, the Bucks have a good chance of bouncing back from last season’s disheartening campaign, Hanshew said.

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“This team should have a fully-healthy Khris Middleton heading into the new season, and the addition of Malik Beasley will add some quality perimeter scoring. Giannis can bounce back, and with Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez back, this is a title contender,” Hanshew wrote.

Aside from keeping their core intact, the Bucks have also added some young prospects by taking in Andrew Jackson Jr. (36th pick) and Chris Livingston (58th). With those off-season moves, it’s certainly not hard to believe that the Bucks would be in title contention next season.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.