Bucks 2024-25 Betting Preview: Prediction, Roster Projection

The Milwaukee Bucks have been eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs in back-to-back years. Is that a sign that the window is closing in Milwaukee?

NBA futures odds are available at the online sportsbook, including Milwaukee Bucks odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Bucks Futures Odds

Win Total: 51.5
Central Division: -130
Eastern Conference: +650
NBA Championship: +1400

The Bucks have slipped a bit in the NBA odds market.

Milwaukee is +1400 to win the NBA championship, having been +900 or better in the preseason for five straight seasons. The Bucks’ win total has dropped from 54.5 to 51.5 since last year.

The Bucks are -130 to win their seventh consecutive division crown. They haven’t traded better than -250 in that market since 2018.

Bucks Offseason Moves

One offseason after trading for Damian Lillard, the Bucks improved their supporting cast by making solid additions in free agency.

Additions

Departures

The Bucks might not have made the blockbuster move this summer, but they did an excellent job adding complementary role players to replace some older contributors off last year’s team.

Gary Trent Jr. will likely start at shooting guard for Milwaukee. He averaged 13.7 points and 1.1 steals per game for the Toronto Raptors a season ago. Delon Wright is another option in the backcourt.

Taurean Prince settled into a solid role with the Los Angeles Lakers last year as a veteran contributor off the bench. He should have a similar impact on the Bucks.

Bucks 2024 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 51.5 Wins (-120)

The Bucks could be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference playoffs, even if their championship window is closing quickly. 

But I’m fading this team’s regular-season success.

Milwaukee has finished below its win total in three of the last four seasons, except when it exceeded expectations in 2022-23. That’s when they won 58 games, despite an expected record of 50-32.

According to Basketball Reference, the Bucks’ expected record was 47-35 last year. Their expected record hasn’t been better than 51 wins since a COVID-shortened campaign in 2020.

The reality is, Milwaukee’s core is only getting older. Winning games in the regular season isn’t the priority anymore.

The Central division is also becoming more competitive, especially since the Cleveland Cavaliers nearly won it last year.

I’m betting on this win total before it drops much further.

2024-25 NBA Team Previews & Predictions