Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Bucks are reaching an inflection point

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 9:41 AM ET

When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in the summer of 2023, they did so in the hope of creating a new contending roster. Milwaukee was coming off the back of a first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs.

Lillard, an All-Star guard, was supposed to elevate the Bucks back into title contention. The two-man game between him and Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to send shivers down the spine of opposing defenses.

18 months later, not one shiver has occurred. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, Lillard's presence hasn't had the desired effect. The Bucks once again endured a first-round exit in the 2024 playoffs. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games.

And now, in the opening round of the 2025 postseason, Milwaukee finds itself on the brink of a third consecutive first-round elimination. Doc Rivers' team dropped its second game of its first-round series to the Pacers on Tuesday. Milwaukee is now two losses away from elimination.

"At the end of the day, it's not something that you have to panic, but also it's not something that you have to be loose," Giannis said during his postgame news conference. "It's life or death. It's life or death. That how it is for me. I know the deal. I've been here before."

A third straight first-round exit would be unacceptable for this Bucks team. It would be proof that the current roster isn't fit for purpose. You can't explain away the fact that the team has fallen at the same hurdle time and time again.

Unfortunately for the Bucks, that could mean having to tear down the roster and enter a rebuild. Of course, that would also mean coming to terms with the fact that Giannis would likely look to move teams. He's already 30 years old. He doesn't have the time to wait for a young roster to develop and flourish. He has made it very clear he wants to win championships.

The Bucks are at an inflection point. Tough decisions must be made over the summer. If they choose to run it back, they're kidding themselves. The roster isn't good enough to be a contender. And until they make some big changes, they're going to be stuck in Groundhog Day.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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