And once again, the season starts off on the road. The young Bullets come in with a huge roster full of sophomores, a new rookie class, other experienced youngsters, and three millennials in their 30s who are the "uncs" in the room.
One of those older players, Khris Middleton, returns to Milwaukee where he will get a hero's welcome in front of the Bucks faithful. The former All-Star was pivotal to Milwaukee's championship in 2021. Their first in fifty years since the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Bucks/Bullets legend Bob Dandridge.
The Bullets season is another one for development and for retaining the 2026 lottery pick that remains protected from the John Wall-Russell Westbrook trade made in December 2020. It goes without saying that retaining that pick and making sure it is in the top 3 is absolutely critical. Additionally, the pick swap with Phoenix from the 2023 trade of Bradley Beal looms large especially if the Suns are also in the lottery!
On the other side, the Bucks have re-tooled around 2x league MVP Giannis. The Greek Freak still is at the top of his game and in his prime. Damian Lillard was waived and stretched in a stunning move which yielded big man Myles Turner in free agency. The roster features a number of shooters around Giannis. Jon Horst is also betting on a bunch of outcasts from around the league looking to prove themselves. If Giannis is staying in Milwaukee long-term, the Bucks will need to make a run in the postseason. They have been eliminated in the first round every season since the 2021 NBA Finals.
So, who will prevail on opening night?
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Projected Lineups :
Bench:
