2023-24 NBA Central Division Betting Preview: Bucks are primed for major bounce-back with Damian Lillard

Just when it looked as though Milwaukee’s grasp atop the Eastern Conference might be slipping after last season’s first-round playoff exit, the 2021 champions stunned everyone by trading for Damian Lillard.

With that move, the Bucks put themselves in position to remain a force in the conference at least another season, and likely years to come when you consider how thrilled perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo must be about their apparent commitment to winning.

Inside the Atlantic Division, Milwaukee’s closest competition will again come from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were good enough to land a top-four seed last season. But until they land a player as good as Antetokounmpo — or Lillard for that matter — they won’t be ending Milwaukee’s five-year run as division champs.