1. Milwaukee Bucks
Last season: 60-22, 1st in Eastern Conference
Notable additions: Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez
Notable subtractions: Malcolm Brogdon, Nikola Mirotic, Tony Snell
The Bucks may have lost some key contributors this offseason, but given their cap situation that was always inevitable. They will be slightly weaker heading into next season, but the talent they have held onto should keep them atop the pile in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, it’s easier to offset the loss of players when you have the reigning MVP on your roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the Eastern Conference by a sizeable margin, and his two-way excellence alone would be enough to land the Bucks near the top of the standings. There are still very few players in the league that can slow him down, and his ability to take over games while making his teammates better should once again have them in contention come the playoffs.
Milwaukee did well with their available resources in bringing back plenty of last season’s supporting cast. While Brogdon is a big loss, re-signing Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and George Hill keeps most of their core intact and maintains their identity from last year’s success.
After securing his first All-Star selection in a contract year, the Bucks will be hoping that Middleton won’t suffer the post-payday decline that so many stars fall victim to. If he can maintain his stellar play, though, he’s still the perfect foil for Antetokounmpo as a sharpshooting wing who can defend multiple positions and always make the smart play.
While the salary cap limited their options, Milwaukee did manage to add some impact players and maintain their depth. Wesley Matthews is certainly past his prime, but some stability after a season where he played for three different teams may help him return closer to his best as a two-way contributor. Kyle Korver remains lights-out from deep and is a good veteran presence, while Robin Lopez must be thrilled to be playing with his brother on a contending team after years wasting away with the Bulls.
With the best player in the league and the best record last season, the directive for the Bucks was simple; keep as many players as possible, and fill the roster with complementary pieces around Antetokounmpo. They’ve done that, and they’ve given no reason to doubt their standing as the best team in the East.