#1 Devin Booker / SG / 26 / 6'6" / 196 lbs
Booker will enter his second season as a Buck. Many think he was the best player on the team last season, as the 26 games he missed last year coincided with the team's worst part of the season. The Bucks exercised the team option on his contract this summer worth $3,300,000, with hopes he will adapt quickly to the new rules. Last year he averaged 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, shooting 40.0 % from three-point range. He may come off the bench this year, but head coach Chris Duhon has stated he is not going to talk about starters and reserves, since there will be plenty of rotation during games.
#3 Kelly Oubre Jr / SF / 24 / 6'7" / 195 lbs
Oubre will enter his fifht season as a Buck, but he still 24 years old. During all this time he has had his ups and downs, but has been able to find a place in the rotation as floor spreading wing. Last season he played in 64 games, averaging 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per contest, shooting 41.3 % from beyond the arc. His role on the team this season may be similar. His length also helps defending opposing outside shooters, something that may come in handy this year.
#4 Quincy Acy / PF / 28 / 6'7" / 235 lbs
Acy was the first player drafted by the current Front Office and still remains in Milwaukee six years later. He may be a rare case where the captain of a team is not a starter, but he is the longest tenured player on the roster. He signed a one-year deal worth $1,700,000 this summer to enter his seventh season with the franchise. Last season he took part in 64 games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.7 minutes of game action. A solid physical defender that provides depth at the forward positions.
#6 Troy Brown / SG / 20 / 6'7" / 215 lbs
Brown had a very solid rookie season averaging 10.2 points, 2.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 24.8 minutes per game, shooting 40.9 % from the field, 80.8 % from the free throw line and 28.7 % from outside the arc. While those are not mind blowing numbers, given how raw he was when he entered the league no one could ask much more from him. He played all 82 games and showed his ability to play multiple positions, from point guard to small forward. And more importantly, he has improved continuously since being drafted. He is still far from the player he can potentially become, but he is getting closer day after day.
#7 Thon Maker / PF / 24 / 7'1" / 231 lbs
It has been a long time since the Bucks opted to invest a third overall draft selection in Maker, but the lengthy forward is still 24 years old. While not a player who can lead a team, Maker has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league (ask Stanley Johnson in the last two meetings between the Bucks and the Detroit Pistons last season, both Milwaukee wins). He has only missed 19 games in five years, and last season averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.1 minutes per game. His impact, though, goes beyond his stats. However, not all is positive for Maker. His three-point shooting has dipped from over 40 % in the 2021-22 season to 29.1 % last season. He spent most of training camp working to regain his old outside shooting form.
#8 Jarred Vanderbilt / SF / 20 / 6'9" / 215 lbs
Vanderbilt will start his sophomore season with hopes of improving over his rookie season, where he averaged 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.7 minutes per contest. His role on the roster is still undefined, but he may find his chance over a long 82-game season. He is still very young, so the coaching staff will be patient with him.
#10 Frank Mason / PG / 24 / 5'11" / 185 lbs
After a sensational rookie season two years ago, his sophomore campaign was a bit disappointing. Mason's three-point shooting went from 39.7 % to 32.6 % in one year. That may be a result of defenses being conscious of his scoring potential or an effect of the sophomore wall. Being in a contract year Mason will need to showcase his skills now more than ever. He comes off a sixth-man-of-the-year kind of season, producing 13.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 26.3 minutes off the bench.
#12 Ja Morant / PG / 19 / 6'3" / 175 lbs
The Bucks surprisingly jumped to the third overall place in last June's lottery. As a result, they opted to choose Morant out of Murray State. While it was the obvious choice for most CSL analysts, the Bucks Front Office was actually divided between him and Cameron Johnson. At the end, Morant was the pick. It remains to be seen what he can actually offer at the pro level. He had a very solid training camp, yet not a spectacular one. Still, coach Duhon thinks he could end up having a similar impact to what Allen Iverson had on the late 90's Philadelphia 76ers, as a ball dominant scoring guard with excellent defenders around him.
#14 Brandon Ingram / SF / 23 / 6'9" / 190 lbs
A former first overall pick, Ingram did not become the difference maker most expected. However, three years later he is one of the most versatile and well rounded players in the league. And he is also one of the most underrated defenders in teh CSL. At age 23 he enters a contract year coming off a season-ending injury. He has missed 28 games over three years, which represent 11 % of total games. While that is starting to cause some concern among team staff, there is nothing to be too worried, at least yet. Last season he averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists in 33.8 minutes per game, while shooting 43.7 % from the field, 79.3 % form the free-throw line and 38.2 % form three-point range. It is believed that the new rules will benefit versatile players, but that remains to be seen. Regardless of that, Ingram will be a key piece in the Bucks hopes of a playoff appearance.
#15 Przemek Karnowski / C / 27 / 7'1" / 304 lbs
Another player coming off a season ending injury, Karnowski signed a three-year deal this offseason to come back to Milwaukee. At $3,000,000 per year, with the third one being a team option, the Front Office considers the deal a bargain. The Bucks contacted his agent on the very first day of Free Agency, and were surprised no one else was going after him. Last season, his first with Milwaukee, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals in 24.9 minutes per game, converting 56.3 % of his field goal attempts. While his lack of rebounding for a center may be an issue in most teams, that is not the case in the Bucks, as there is no need for another rebounder when Wendell Carter is on the court. What Karnowski brings is excellent efficiency scoring in the paint, a great ability to draw fouls and a great capacity of altering shots. It is true that he should improve his 54.9 % from the free-throw line, but that is a work in progress.
#17 Jonas Valanciunas / C / 32 / 6'11" / 240 lbs
Valanciunas will enter his fourth and final season with Milwaukee, where he has seen his relevance decrease over the years. Last season he played 10.8 minutes per game as a reserve and the projection for this season is not much different. At age 32 he brings experience and his large expiring contract will allow the Bucks to be key players in the 2025 Free Agency period. He could also be wearing a different jersey by season's end.
#20 Matthew Dellavedova / SG / 28 / 6'4" / 198 lbs
One of the league's best perimeter defenders and a reliable outside shooter, Dellavedova is one of the key players on the team. At age 28 he has the perfect balance of experience and energy, and that is something extremely valuable for a team trying to take the next step. Last season he averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 32.7 minutes per game, shooting 38.7 % from three-point range. His ability to play both guard spots provides great flexibility to coach Duhon when designing strategies for games and he is expected to have a big role on the team again this year.
#24 Hollis Thompson / SF / 33 / 6'8" / 205 lbs
Thompson is one of the three new faces on the roster this season. The 33-year-old veteran was signed to a one-year minimum deal in the offseason in order to bring experience and outside shooting to the team. He is one of the elite three-point shooters in the CSL, and for a team willing to compete, that is a key addition.
#25 Joe Jackson / PG / 32 / 6'0" / 170 lbs
Jackson was the starting point guard for the Bucks in the 2017-18 season when the new Front Office arrived. He was traded mid-season to the Miami Heat in order to acquire Kyle Lowry, who helped the Bucks to make a good playoff run ... then Lowry left as a free agent and the rest of the story is well known. Jackson signed also a one-year minimum deal to start a second stint with the Bucks. And excellent ball handler and soild defender, he will bring experience to help Brown, Morant and Mason grow into better players.
#34 Wendell Carter / PF / 21 / 6'10" / 250 lbs
At age 21 and with just two pro seasons under his belt Carter has already established himself as a dominant force on the boards. Last season he averaged 10.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.5 steals in 29.9 minutes per game, converting 44.3 % of his field goal attempts (a big improvement from 40.3 % in his rookie season). Entering his third season in the CSL and after a training camp where he has improved his game, hopes are to see Carter becoming a new Dennis Rodman. That would certainly propel the Bucks to reach their goals.
So these are the 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks. The goal is clear: to make the playoffs.
2028
