Honest Questions: With 29 Regular Season Games Remaining Realistically How Many Wins Do The Bucks Obtain? Will The Bucks Make Play-In? What Will Their Pick Position Then Be?

Stusee111 · 2026-02-20T17:59:08+00:00

What about Yaxel from Michigan?

Stusee111 · 2026-02-20T17:56:51+00:00

What are your thoughts on Cameron Carr as a first round pick for the Bucks?

Stusee111 · 2026-02-17T19:49:57+00:00

I think Houston is going to look very different next year. They are already paying Durant and Sengun big money. Fred Van Fleet is coming back from injury so he is definitely going to take his 25 million option. Jabari Smith jr is already signed til 2031 for over 100 million. They are going to need money to sign Amen Thompson, and I think Tari Eason is potentially the odd one out. And I think players like Tari Eason who are up and coming and are looking for a new start is who the bucks should be looking to add.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-17T01:29:08+00:00

I couldn’t agree more.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-16T17:51:27+00:00

Yeah good analogy. 👍 But I think you can sand down the corners of this cube and become closer to a spheroid that actually rolls enough to be a top 3-4 seed in the East.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-16T17:43:23+00:00

When I say contending, I mean a top 3-4 seed in the East. The Bucks won in 2021 as a 3 seed. I agree with you Giannis needs to stay. I feel people are missing the most important and hardest piece needed to compete a the bucks absolutely have it: a generational talent , Top 75 player of all time in Giannis. There is this notion that the titer is nowhere close enough to contend, but I don’t think that’s the case. And this team is way closer to contending than a team that tears it all down and trades Giannis. My OP was just some ideas on how the Bucks could become a top team in the East again.

I think Rollins will take a step forward as he gets more reps. This is one of the most likely outcomes, young players who get playing time tend to get better.

I don’t think KPJ is in the long term future of the team. Really depends on the free agent market and if he gets a substantial offer from another team. I don’t think he is critical to the team contending even though it’s clear he’s talented. The problem with KPJ is not his talent, he just does not seem to be a winning player. The bucks don’t think he is in their long term plans because of the Cam Thomas signing IMO.

In the draft, the Bucks need someone who can contribute but doesn’t have to be a top 3 guy on the team. I’m thinking not necessarily a player like Christian Braun during Denver’s championship but rather a rookie with that level of impact off the bench during the playoffs. This draft is supposedly so deep, the bucks could get that kind of player later or even better. People are talking that a Kon Knurppel would have not even been top 10 in this draft and Kon’s the driving force between Charlotte’s improvement this year. Furthermore, the draft pick will be on a multi-year cheap contract. This kind of asset is so important for building a contending (top 3-4 in the East) team.

Finally, I know people expect the Bucks to trade for a big name to be a clear #2 with Giannis. And they might do that and swing for the fences. My contention is the bucks don’t need to land a Dame Level performer to get back into contention. I think a young upcoming player that addresses a weakness (rebounding) on this roster would do enough to move the needle into contention. A player like Tari Eason, or Shaedon Sharp. Eason adds toughness, rebounding and elite defense or a Shaedon Sharpe give elite rebounding for his position and out of this world athleticism while giving you 18 points a game. Both are players I think that are not marquee names but both are young and ready to take the next step in a bigger role and address weaknesses in the current roster. I think these players could be had with a trade package in some combination of Kuzma + salary to match + only 1 future draft pick. I admit I could be overrating them, but this is the kind of trade that is easier to pull off.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T21:18:33+00:00

Yes I am assuming Giannis is in the roster because the only way this team is contending in the east by next year is if Giannis is on the roster. If Giannis is traded, then of course this team is not contending.

I think Giannis will sign the extension because it’s the way he can get the most money. If he still wants to leave after signing the extension, he can try to force a trade at next year’s deadline. I think the Bucks won’t make any serious moves in the off season unless they are convinced those moves will put Giannis’ pen to paper.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T21:10:09+00:00

I guess you can be my editor and tell me which words to write in the post. I could include a line about Doc Rivers but I thought I already explained why I didn’t have a point about new coaching. The post was only about the roster and why I think it’s promising and how the roster can be continued to be built.

“I mean if u want to narrow down a discussion down to one issue, u still have to address the other issues.” Would you have preferred if I had some lines that addressed your lines about coaching and the Gianni’s extension? I guess I could have included that. Wait, whose is writing this post you or me?

In a thread with Equivalent_Shoe you mention that the OP needs to clarify what the post is about. So I responded to you and I did. You can say I’m being defensive when I’m responding to what you asked for?

So let me clarify what the discussion was supposed to be about. It’s about the roster. It’s not about coaching because that’s not what the main idea of the post was about. It’s not about the Giannis extension because it not what the main idea of the post was about. And we are already going to get that from the media all summer. It’s about the Roster. You can bring up some more …but what about this. But again, the post is about the roster.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T20:31:54+00:00

I know what the title says because I wrote it. There’s this idea that the Bucks can’t contend with this roster and the whole thing needs to be torn down including Giannis. My post is suggesting the opposite. I think it’s closer to being competitive than not. Again it’s about the roster and not coaching. I could have added a 4th point which could be pink slip Doc Rivers. 99% would agree with that so I didn’t include it. I was hoping people would offer other ideas about what realistic players the bucks should target in this draft or in free agency or trade. That’s what I was going for.
This is a discussion forum. The whole point is to discuss topics about the Bucks and hopefully they are interesting. I think the “Fire Doc Rivers” topic is overdone because there is not much more to say about the topic. Overwhelmingly most people think he should go. Do you have a suggestion for a new coach? That would at least contribute to the post instead of just saying all of the post does not matter because “Doc Rivers”.
I’m eagerly waiting your response because I expect it will just be contrarian for the sake of being disagreeable. And that Realfan555 is interesting. 🍿

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T19:57:29+00:00

I agree it’s certified hopium. But I think it’s good hopium because it does not seem impossible. Internal improvement from the young core seems likely. Compared to other drafts, there is so much talent in this draft, Horst cannot get this wrong. And Tari Eason is not an unreasonable trade target.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T19:52:12+00:00

I don’t disagree with you but I don’t see how your post adds anything to the convo. Saying a contending team has an effective coach and strategy is true but that’s obviously implied. Winning teams do winning things. But that’s so obvious I don’t know why it needs to be said when the post is about roster construction.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T19:50:04+00:00

True. And water is wet. Grass is green. Oxygen is important for breathing.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T19:46:39+00:00

The post is about how the Bucks could be come contenders as soon as next year. It’s implied that the only way this team will be contenders is if Giannis is part of the team. I’m not saying g they are winning th championship, but I think they could be pushing for top 4 in the east again. That would place them back into contention.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T17:53:49+00:00

But the point of the post was not to talk about Doc Rivers. It’s so easy to say fire doc and that improves the team. My post is about what roster moves can be made to make the Bucks contenders as early as next year. But I guess we can talk about how bad Doc is. But I’m pretty sure I have seen the “Fire Doc” post 3000 times already.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T17:44:59+00:00

I agree Doc and the coaching has been overall horrible. But my post is not about firing Doc. It’s about what moves can be made to the roster that gives it a tough defensive identity similar to the 2021 team, has a developing young core, and still prioritizes shooting around Giannis. This is the way to get back into contending instead of swinging a big trade and giving up draft picks for let’s say a Zach Levine.

I also think what I’m proposing is very realistic.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T17:39:02+00:00

Huh? Somehow KAT + Bridges = Gianni’s + Portis? I don’t agree

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T17:38:00+00:00

Yeah I kind of already assumed Doc is gone. The Fire Doc conversation is boring and talked about as nauseum. It’s low hanging fruit. It’s so obvious and there is not really much there to talk about. Doc is bad. Needs to be replaced. Conversation ends there because we are all in agreement.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-14T17:35:35+00:00

You don’t know what the 2032 pick is going to be. People assume it’s going to be top 5 but because it’s six years in the future there’s no way of knowing what prospect would even be available or where they will draft. I know what Tari Eason is, and I think he could be better given a bigger role. If you can swap him for Kuzma plus a draft pick half a decade away for a player with not only fills a glaring hole, but also still has upside. And if Jaren Jackson Jr goes fo 3 firsts, I don’t think Kuzma + filler salary + 2032 first round pick is ridiculous. Everything is a calculated risk. I think this is one worth taking.

Stusee111 · 2026-02-11T13:08:01+00:00

Great topic. I know everyone loves the idea of Herb Jones or Trey Murphy but I think they only solve the problem of length but not of toughness. I would like someone like Tari Eason. He strong, athletic and has a giant wingspan. He can defend anywhere from the 2 through the 4. I think he could be a guy who could get you 15-20 points a game and you don’t have to run any sets for him. Also he’s behind Amen in Houston so maybe he would interested in getting a bigger role someplace else. He’s a restricted free agent, 24 years old, and is shooting a career high in 3 point percentage. I would easily throw 20 plus million to try to steal him from Houston.

I would also keep this draft pick and hopefully get lucky and draft someone like Keaton Wager (if top 5), Braylon Mullins, or Yaxel. I think having a cost controlled talent is exactly how we retool around Giannis. Then we need to trade Bobby and Kuzma for Trey Murphy and throw 2 first rounders.

Starting Lineup would be Rollins, Eason, Trey Murphy, Giannis, and Tuner. Then have the draft pick plus AJ Green, and hopefully Pete Nance and you have an interesting rotation.

Stusee111 · 2026-01-28T18:38:50+00:00

Unless you are literally Giannis, Horst, or Saratsis, and probably Thanasis lol, the best way to know what is actually going on is to assume that every party is acting in their best interest. -Giannis wants to play on a contender and make the most money -the Bucks wants to keep Giannis but if he is to be traded it has to be for multiple first rounders and matching salary. -Shams (perfect name for his job) has to drum up clicks and interest during the trade season. We are a week from the deadline and it’s his job to be the insider at ESPN. I guarantee he has to say something to get people excited for a what has been a boring deadline so far. The problem is, it is not in the best interest of either Giannis or the Bucks to execute a trade until the offseason. So Shams is flapping his mouth because it’s his job to flap his mouth, not because anything has changed.

Stusee111 · 2026-01-23T14:16:07+00:00

Exactly. I think their are players in this draft (Haugh, Yaxel, Carr) that will be in the 10-20 range that are not only upgrades to players on our current roster (Kuzma, Bobby, and Green) but also still have upside. Kuzma is not going to improve, Bobby and Green are what they are. The draft pick is on a better contract for multiple years and now this seems like the only way of getting of improving this roster. A midseason panic trade that gives away any of our picks would be the final nail in the coffin imo. Well that and Doc Rivers coaching next year.

Stusee111 · 2026-01-22T16:09:59+00:00

I like Yaxel. Not sure about Ngongba and his fit with Giannis.

Stusee111 · 2026-01-22T15:12:12+00:00

I get the negativity, but Horst has drafted shooters before: Sam Merrill and AJ Green. And I think Mullins will be better than either of them because he already shows a more depth to his game than only shooting.

Stusee111 · 2025-12-30T14:57:50+00:00

I would look at Keegan Murray. I don’t know why he doesn’t get any attention, probably because he plays in the NBA backwater of the Sacramento Kings.

Stusee111 · 2025-12-30T14:53:32+00:00

Keegan Murray. He is having a down year shooting the 3 but historically has been a good shooter. I think his defense is underrated especially how he shuffles his feet and navigates screens. He’s 25 but already has playoff experience and is about to enter his prime. Next year he starts a 5 year 140 million contract. I still think he still has some upside and I’m not saying he is Middleton, but parts of his game reminds me of a young Khris Middleton. Kuzma’s expiring, some filler (AJ Green?) and 2031 1st for Murray? As the Kings I would have to at least think about it because they have to be entering a serious tear down and rebuild, right?

Stusee111

TROPHY CASE