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The 2020-21 NBA season is a few weeks away and training camp is underway. The Milwaukee Bucks one-upped the Los Angeles Clippers for most disappointing team in the restart. After being the favorite to win it all for most of 2019-20, the Bucks came short, losing to the Heat in five games in the second round.
The offseason was up-and-down but ultimately the Bucks made a big play to get better and try to reach that goal of the NBA Finals and a championship. Jrue Holiday was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans to replace Eric Bledsoe at point guard. Holiday, Khris Middleton and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo form a new Big 3 in Milwaukee. Here we’re going to take a look at the Bucks’ offseason, plus look ahead to the 2020-21 season.
2020 offseason
Key additions
Jrue Holiday, PG (trade)
DJ Augustin, PG (free agency)
Bobby Portis, PF (free agency)
Torrey Craig, SF (free agency)
Bryn Forbes, SG (free agency)
Key losses
Eric Bledsoe, PG (trade)
George Hill, PG (trade)
Marvin Williams, PF (retirement)
Wesley Matthews, SG (free agency)
Robin Lopez, C (free agency)
2020-21 odds
Title odds: +550
Win percentage: O/U 68.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP odds: +450
Giannis Antetokounmpo DPOTY odds: +400
2020-21 roster
Depth Chart
PG: Jrue Holiday, D.J. Augustin, Donte DiVincenzo
SG: Donte DiVincenzo, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig
SF: Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Torrey Craig
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, D.J. Wilson
C: Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Roster battles
Starting SG: Donte DiVincenzo vs. Bryn Forbes vs. Torrey Craig
Fantasy basketball
Best Sleeper
Bryn Forbes — Forbes comes over after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Spurs under Gregg Popovich. Over four seasons, Forbes shot 40 percent from beyond the arc, including 38.8 percent last season and a career-high 42 percent in 2018-19. The Bucks needed better/more shooting to surround Giannis with and added some big-time names this offseason. Forbes has a shot at starting in the back court next to Holiday. If that’s the case, he’s a great late-round flier to try and snag. Even if he comes off the bench, Forbes has value as a 3-point specialist.
Likely Bust
Khris Middleton — I’m not here to trash Middleton because of his performance in the playoffs. I’m also not saying you shouldn’t draft Middleton. It’s just, if we look at ADP, Middleton is going 9th among SFs and 12th among SGs in fantasy basketball drafts. I think with Holiday is town, there will be less scoring opportunities for Middleton. The Bucks also got deeper and added wings in Craig and Forbes. Those two will leech shooting chances. Overall, I think the Bucks will rely less on Middleton this season, which could lead to a slightly down season in terms of fantasy.