The Milwaukee Bucks have been disappointing in the 2025-26 season, but it's not as if the expectations were sky-high. The roster underwent major change during the offseason, parting ways with key players like Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez while bringing in Myles Turner and Kevin Porter Jr.

Through the halfway point, the Bucks are at 17-24, as they remain on the outside looking in to the Eastern Conference playoff picture. On Thursday, they suffered their third consecutive loss to the San Antonio Spurs, with many wondering how this team will improve going forward, despite being at full health.

Looking ahead to the second half of the season, Bucks veteran forward Bobby Portis addressed how he views the team going forward into the next part of the season and how to approach it.

"I think it just starts with staying together for one. Obviously, in these type of situations, there's so many ways that you can probably go. You can pull away from the team, you can be an energy taker, or you can be an energy giver," Portis said.

The Bucks were the exact opposite through 41 games last year, sitting at 24-17, but the circumstances were far different, and cannot be compared. New pieces are starting to settle in with the roster, and perhaps the second part of the season is when players like Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins really hit their strides.

"Think in these situations, you just come to the gym every day, get your work in, follow the coach's game plan, follow what they want from you, and then you let the dominoes fall where they fall. Only thing you can really control as an individual player is your attitude and your effort," he added.

Unfortunately, the upcoming schedule doesn't do the Bucks any favors. They'll finish their road trip in Atlanta on Monday, before facing the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets upon their return to Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo's star power might keep them in the game, but they'll need more than just that.

However, the Bucks could still look to make a swing for the fences with a trade acquisition, with Ja Morant being a name that has been brought up in rumors to Milwaukee. A move like that could take them to the next level, or set them back with an expensive contract for a disgruntled star.

At the end of the day, Milwaukee has to make some changes, whether that be with the construction of the roster or the approach they take mentally. Otherwise, rumors around a departure by Giannis will only continue to heat up over the remainder of the season and into the offseason.