Expectations haven’t been this low for the Milwaukee Bucks in a decade as the team moves forward without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis was traded in the offseason along with Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, and a bevy of first-round picks, including the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft, which was used to select forward Nate Ament from Tennessee.

Led by Herro, Jaquez Jr., Ryan Rollins, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, and rookies Brayden Burries and Ament, the Bucks are expected to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Michael Pina of The Ringer released his preseason power rankings, and he put the Bucks at number 29, only ahead of the Sacramento Kings. The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls are just ahead of them.

Pina pondered how new head coach Taylor Jenkins will establish an identity with a team that includes veterans, rookies, and players looking to cash in on their next contract.

The Bucks have the second-lowest projected win total in the league, tied with the Brooklyn Nets at 24.5 wins. Only the Kings are lower at 21.5 projected wins.

Milwaukee finished with just 32 wins last season, thanks in part to Giannis not being able to stay healthy and only playing in 36 games.

There are strong individual talents on the Bucks. Herro is a proven scorer with room to grow as a playmaker. Jaquez Jr is a well-rounded player who might benefit from having more opportunities. Rollins had a breakout season and could be poised to lead the next era of Milwaukee basketball. Burries and Ament are highly touted coming out of college, with Burries being viewed as a future All-Star. Kel’el Ware has shown promise as a two-way impact player.

There are also a lot of flaws and, as mentioned, guys who might be looking at their next big contract rather than buying into Milwaukee long-term.

Jenkins is a proven head coach who helped establish a new identity in Memphis with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s been tasked with a similar problem in Milwaukee as he tries to bring a young group together while maintaining how the veterans feel.

Maybe they won’t be the worst team in the East, but they will be at the bottom of the conference and the league as a whole.