Bucks believe they’ll be better after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo no longer plays for the Bucks. But as far as anyone can tell, there will still be pro basketball in Milwaukee.

And the Bucks actually think they’ll be better next season than they were last, one league source told Hoops Wire.

“It’s a new day, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” the source said, pointing to the fact there will be no drama surrounding Antetokounmpo this time around.

“(The Bucks) have a new coach (in Taylor Jenkins), some nice pieces that came over in the trade, a guy who can put the ball in the basket in Tyler Herro. Everyone also should be plenty motivated.”

Sometimes, teams without superstars can overcome low expectations the old-fashioned way. Namely, with teamwork.

“I’m not suggesting (Milwaukee) will travel a similar path, but everyone thought the Thunder would stink when they traded Paul George (to the Clippers in 2019), too,” the source told Hoops Wire. “I think we’ve learned over the past decade that what looks good or bad on paper doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the actual basketball.”

Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis were sent to the Heat earlier this month for Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick (Nate Ament), two future first-round selections, a pick swap and a second-round pick. They join holdovers such as Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.

Not exactly a star-studded cast. But not terrible, either.

Now, before anyone gets too excited, we need to remember that the Bucks finished 32-50 last season, missing the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference — or the final play-in spot — by 11 games. So “improvement” is relative.

“Nobody predicted (the Bucks) to win the championship in 2021; nobody predicted Indiana and OKC in the Finals in 2025,” the source said, adding that the Bucks could also still make some moves, including perhaps moving Turner.

“I’m not saying (Milwaukee) is on the way to the championship,” the source said. “There is likely to be a learning curve. I just think that it’s not going to be as dire as some expect. There’s talent, depth, youth and guys who play hard, and I think a very good coach.

“That’s the kind of team nobody enjoys playing.”