Another year, and another Milwaukee Bucks championship contending team. Outside of peripheral moves during the offseason (like signing Joe Ingles), the biggest value add was getting healthy. There is little to doubt about this team as they look to recapture their championship energy behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and their stable role-players off the bench. Let’s take our first look at the Milwaukee Bucks and see what each position brings to the 2022-2023 fantasy season.
Milwaukee Bucks Fantasy Preview
Depth Chart
| Pos | Starter | Second |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Jrue Holiday | Jevon Carter |
| SG | Grayson Allen | Wesley Matthews |
| SF | Khris Middleton | Pat Connaughton |
| PF | Giannis Antektokounmpo | Bobby Portis |
| C | Brook Lopez | Bobby Portis |
Point Guard (PG):
Business as usual for Jrue Holiday. Jrue continues to be one of the fantasy’s best two-way players with eligibility at PG and SG. Look for Jrue to be drafted in the third round, offering great value in the fourth round of your fantasy draft. Jevon Carter sneaks into the rotation as the backup point guard. Look for Carter as a steals streamer. George Hill is lurking on the roster, but at this point, his role is to provide a veteran presence and a player that can eat minutes when necessary.
Shooting Guard (SG):
Grayson Allen returns as the starter in 2022-2023 and will operate as a floor spacer for the Milwaukee Bucks. Don’t expect much outside of a 3-point streamer specialist. The Bucks are deep with scoring and playmaking talent. Wesley Matthews should come off the bench but may find his role growing as games get more competitive later in the season. Neither player offers much of a fantasy line.
Small Forward (SF):
The Bucks felt the loss of Khris Middleton against the Boston Celtics in the 2021-2022 playoffs. Despite wrist surgery this summer, Middleton should return on-time to his high-usage role for this season. The Bucks will rely on Middleton to be their number two scorer and continue the playmaking duties that netted him nearly 6 assists last year. Middleton could be drafted as early as the third round, but may slide to the fourth round. Pat Connaughton fills the gaps behind Kris Middleton and is most likely the starter if Middleton misses times. He doesn’t need to be drafted, but stream as a well-rounded three-point specialist when Middleton misses time.
Power Forward (PF):
There’s not much to cover here, Giannis Antetokounmpo is very good at basketball and should be a top selection in every draft format. The only downside to Giannis is the free throw percentage. At 72% on high volume (11 FT/G) in 2021-2022, Giannis most likely forces punt FT% in category leagues. Bobby Portis backs up Giannis (also playing back-up center). In some cases, Portis could play with both Giannis and starting center Brook Lopez. Portis averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds in 2021-2022 but may see his role slightly reduced this year with Lopez back in the lineup full-time. In any case, Portis will continue to be a reliable option that eats up minutes at both PF and C positions and should be top-100 type player.
Center (C):
Brook Lopez returns to the starting lineup for 2022-2023, after an injury-riddled 2021-2022 season. Brook’s role is to stretch the floor while providing rim protection. Despite his age (34), Lopez’s role is secure and valuable to this Bucks team. Expect Lopez to play around 25 minutes a night. Lopez provides positional value through threes, blocks, and low turnovers, but does not provide great rebounds, assists, or steals. Portis will get many of the “small ball” center looks and will be the more “well-rounded” of the two options.
Key Bench Players:
Jevon Carter:
2022-2023 could be the season that Jevon Carter emerges as a consistent option off the bench. Known for menacing full-court defense, Carter should get minutes and produce steals. No reason to draft him, but keep him in mind during the season when you need to boost steals.
Pat Connaughton:
Connaughton is an athletic defender that plays many roles for the Milwaukee Bucks. Similar to Carter, he is not worth drafting but is a streamer as an effective three point specialist if Middleton misses time.
Sleepers:
The Milwaukee Bucks’ team is set. There aren’t many new faces that will surpass the big three on the team. Brook Lopez is also a value play. If you can draft Lopez in the very back of your draft, you will find sneaky value for threes and blocks.
Bust:
Bobby Portis. Portis should still have a sizable role and produce close to a double-double, but keep in mind Portis contributes little else outside of threes. With Lopez back in the fold, Portis’ value does not have the upside potential as 2021-2022. Portis is easily capable of a productive season again, but draft responsibly, and target Portis starting around 100.
For more great analysis check out all of our 2022-23 Fantasy Basketball Team Previews!