The Milwaukee Bucks are approaching a pivotal moment in their season, but it hasn’t been an easy ride. Between injuries to key players and swirling trade rumors, the team finds itself trying to stay afloat in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
Looking at betting trends, in their recent matchups, the Bucks have shown a winning percentage of approximately 66.7% when favored by at least -122 on the moneyline. At the DisCasino sportsbook, moneylines, point spread, and totals are among the most popular NBA bets. So far, the Bucks have a 13-16-0 record against the spread, highlighting the team’s inconsistency. Despite having favorable odds, the pressure is mounting, and the decisions made in the coming weeks could define their season.
Can Khris Middleton Get Back to Form?
Injuries have been the Bucks’ Achilles’ heel this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, their two biggest stars, have both been sidelined recently, leaving the team’s supporting cast to carry the load. It hasn’t been an easy task. Milwaukee has split their last four games and currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, with just a slim two-game lead over the eighth-place Indiana Pacers, there’s little room for error.
One player who could help stabilize things is Khris Middleton, but his health remains a big question mark. An important part of the Bucks’ championship run in 2021, Middleton has struggled to stay on the court this season following ankle surgeries in the offseason. He’s played just eight games so far, averaging 12.8 points per contest – his lowest numbers since his early years in the NBA.
Is Cam Johnson Worth the Gamble?
While the Bucks continue to grapple with injuries, trade chatter has added another layer of intrigue to their season. One name that keeps surfacing in rumors is Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, a sharpshooter who could give Milwaukee’s offense a serious boost.
A potential three-team trade involving the Bucks, Nets, and Atlanta Hawks is reportedly being discussed. The deal would bring Johnson and two future second-round picks to Milwaukee, but it would come at a cost: Bobby Portis. Portis, a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the Bucks’ bench, is averaging 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season.
For a team like Milwaukee, losing Portis wouldn’t just mean parting with a productive player – it would also mean losing a beloved figure in the locker room. That’s where the debate lies. Johnson’s numbers are hard to ignore: he’s having a career year, averaging 19.5 points per game and shooting 43% from three-point range. Adding a weapon like him could make Milwaukee’s offense even more dangerous when Giannis and Lillard return to full strength.
Still, trades don’t happen in a vacuum. Chemistry matters, and disrupting the roster midseason always comes with risks. The Bucks’ front office must weigh whether the potential upside of acquiring Johnson is worth the cost of losing Portis.
The Bucks Are Walking a Tightrope
The reality for Milwaukee is that they’re balancing on a razor’s edge. When fully healthy, they’re one of the best teams in the NBA. But right now, injuries and inconsistent play have left them vulnerable. Falling into the play-in tournament feels like a real possibility if things don’t improve soon.
That puts a lot of pressure on the organization to make the right moves. Do they hold steady and hope the current roster can get the job done once everyone is healthy? Or do they take a swing at a trade, like the rumored deal for Johnson, to add reinforcements now?
Adding Johnson would bring immediate offensive firepower and some long-term benefits. But sticking with Portis means staying loyal to a player who has been an integral part of the team’s culture and success over the years.
