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The Milwaukee Bucks led the entire NBA with a 56-17 regular-season record last year. However, the team could not match that level in the NBA Playoffs, and they fell in the second round playing against Miami Heat.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly leaving the team, a couple of key trades for Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanović might be the key to keeping The Greek Freak on the Bucks' roster.
NBA 2020-21: Predicting Milwaukee Bucks starting 5 with the addition of Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanović
The current off-season has seen the Milwaukee Bucks threatened by the possibility of reigning two-time NBA MVP and NBA DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo's likely departure, but Milwaukee's front office has done a good job of trying to surround Giannis with more talent.
The Bucks acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to reports from Adrian Wojnarowski. The Milwaukee Bucks sent Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and three first-round picks of the NBA Draft to New Orleans.
In the deal for Bogdanović, the Milwaukee Bucks also received Justin James while giving up Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson.
Bogdanović got traded in a sign-and-trade process.
With these moves, Milwaukee now has a revamped roster, there are higher chances that Giannis will sign the five-year supermax contract, that will be soon on his table.
While giving up some key players, in terms of the team's chemistry, the Milwaukee Bucks have still received tremendous talent.
Let us take a look at the Milwaukee Bucks likely starting five for the 2020-21 NBA season.
Point Guard - Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is known for being a great two-way player in the league and one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, which is why the Milwaukee Bucks onboarded him.
He is experienced, as he will be playing into his 12th NBA season, after spending four years with the Philadelphia 76ers and then arriving in New Orleans back in 2013.
Holiday is a solid defender and a great offence-tool, as he knows how to play the ball and also control the offense, he might be just what the Milwaukee Bucks need.
Last year, he averaged 19 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game and was second on his team in Defensive Win Shares.
Shooting Guard - Bogdan Bogdanović
Bogdan Bogdanović has will play his 98/209 NBA game. He has averaged well, over 25 minutes per night and has a 14 PPG scorer during his career. With the Milwaukee Bucks, he can elevate his game to another level.
Last year, Bogdanovic started the last 28 games of the season for the Kings, averaging 16 points per game on 46% shooting from the field and 37% from three on 7.6 attempts per game.
He is a great shooter but also can handle the ball, as he averages close to four assists per game in his career. Bogdanovic is a skilled perimeter player, as he can score from catch-and-shoot sets and also can find his way through screens and still be effective.
The Milwaukee Bucks have found a solid player.
Small Forward - Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton had a great 2019-20 NBA season, which was certainly his best year so far.
The Milwaukee Bucks managed to maintain their essential players and Middleton is one of those (he is the second-best player on the team).
Last year, Middleton got close to joining the stellar 50/40/90 club, as he averaged 20.9 points per game -- 49% shooting, 41% from the three-point line, and 91% from the free-throw line.
Another year like this for the Milwaukee Bucks and Middleton can help the team dominate the East again and build a deep run in the NBA Playoffs now that more help is on the way.
Power Forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo
As long as Giannis Antetokounmpo stays with the Milwaukee Bucks, they will be contenders for the NBA championship. However, Antetokounmpo still needs to improve his approach against defenses in the NBA Playoffs.
Antetokounmpo has won the last two NBA Most Valuable Player awards and also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last year, becoming just the third player to win both trophies in the same season (Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon).
The Milwaukee Bucks' front office promised Antetokounmpo they would make the team stronger in order for him to stay and sign a five-year supermax deal with the team, and they have delivered.
Last year, Antetkounmpo had an incredible year. He averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in just 30 minutes per game. He also shot 55% from the field and led the best defense of the regular season with his NBA-best Defensive Rating of 97.
Giannis also established a new single-season record for Player Efficiency Rating, with 31.86, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record of 31.82 from the 1962-63 season.
Center - Brook López
Brook López was a strong reason for the Milwaukee Bucks stellar season last year, as he was a key tool in offense and also one of the team's most reliable defenders.
López averaged 12 points and five rebounds per game while shooting more than 100 3-pointers, for the fourth straight year.
López was key to the Milwaukee Bucks having the best Defensive Rating in the entire NBA (102.9).
Next season, the Milwaukee Bucks will need López to maintain his level of play to reach the top spot of the Eastern Conference again, and go far in the NBA Playoffs.
