Editing Milwaukee Bucks (section)

==History==

===1968–1969: Team creation===
On January 22, 1968, the NBA awarded a [[Sport franchising|franchise]] to Milwaukee Professional Sports and Services, Inc. (Milwaukee Pro), a group headed by Wesley Pavalon and Marvin Fishman.<ref>{{cite web|title=On This Day in 1968: Milwaukee Awarded an NBA Franchise|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/features/milwaukee-awarded-nba-franchise-1968|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2024|language=en-US}}</ref> A fan contest was held to name the new team, with over 40,000 fans participating.<ref>{{cite web |title=On This Day in 1968: Milwaukee Awarded an NBA Franchise |url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/features/milwaukee-awarded-nba-franchise-1968 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 10, 2019 |date=January 22, 2016 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210213713/https://www.nba.com/bucks/features/milwaukee-awarded-nba-franchise-1968 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the most-voted fan entry was the ''Robins'', named for Wisconsin's state bird, the contest judges went with the second-most popular choice, the ''Bucks'', which was a reference to Wisconsin's official wild animal, the [[white-tailed deer]]. One fan, R. D. Trebilcox, was awarded a new car for his part in reasoning why the Bucks was a good nickname, saying that bucks were "spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile."<ref>{{cite web|last1=McGee|first1=Adam|title=Milwaukee Bucks History: What's In A Nickname?|date=September 2, 2016|url=http://behindthebuckpass.com/2016/09/02/milwaukee-bucks-history-nickname/|publisher=Fansided|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101232650/http://behindthebuckpass.com/2016/09/02/milwaukee-bucks-history-nickname/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bucks marked a return of the NBA to Milwaukee after 13 years; their previous team, the [[Atlanta Hawks|Hawks]], played for four seasons in the early 1950s before moving to [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] in 1955 (they are now based in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]]). In October, the Bucks played their first NBA regular-season game against the [[Chicago Bulls]] before a [[Milwaukee Arena]] crowd of 8,467. As is typical with expansion teams, the Bucks' first season ([[1968–69 NBA season|1968–69]]) was a struggle. Their first victory came in their sixth game as the Bucks beat the [[Detroit Pistons]] 134–118; they won only 26 more games in their first year. That year, the Bucks' record earned them a coin flip against their expansion cousins, the [[Phoenix Suns]], to see who would get the first pick in the upcoming draft. It was considered a foregone conclusion that the first pick in the draft would be [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar|Lew Alcindor]] of [[UCLA]]. The Bucks won the coin flip, but had to win a bidding war with the [[Brooklyn Nets|New York Nets]] of the upstart [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) to secure him.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/it-took-a-hustler-a-native-son-a-priests-blessing-and-a-city-hungry-for-sports-to-bring-the-bucks-to-milwaukee/ar-AALO4xT|title = It took a hustler, a native son, a priest's blessing and a city hungry for sports to bring the Bucks to Milwaukee|website = [[MSN]]|access-date = November 19, 2021|archive-date = November 19, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211119145122/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/it-took-a-hustler-a-native-son-a-priests-blessing-and-a-city-hungry-for-sports-to-bring-the-bucks-to-milwaukee/ar-AALO4xT|url-status = live}}</ref>

===1969–1975: The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era===
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| caption1 = During his six seasons with the Bucks, [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] averaged 30.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.
| caption2 = [[Oscar Robertson]] was a key member of the Championship-winning [[1970–71 Milwaukee Bucks season|1970–71 Milwaukee Bucks]]
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With the addition of Alcindor, the Bucks finished with a 56–26 record in [[1969–70 NBA season|1969–70]], second-best in the league behind the [[New York Knicks]]. Not only was this a near-reversal of their inaugural season, but the 29-game improvement was the best in league history – a record which would stand for ten years until the [[Boston Celtics]] jumped from 29 wins in [[1978–79 NBA season|1978–79]] to 61 in [[1979–80 NBA season|1979–80]]. The Bucks defeated the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, only to be dispatched in five by the Knicks in the Eastern finals. Alcindor was a runaway selection for [[NBA Rookie of the Year]].

[[1970–71 NBA season|The following season]], the Bucks traded for [[Cincinnati Royals]] guard [[Oscar Robertson]] to complement Alcindor. Subsequently, the Bucks, now in the Western Conference, finished 66–16, the second-most wins in NBA history at the time, and still a franchise record. During the regular season, the Bucks recorded a then-NBA record [[List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks|20-game win streak]]. Posting a 12–2 record in the playoffs, they won their first NBA championship on April 30, 1971, by sweeping the [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]] in four games. By winning the championship in only their third season, the Bucks became one of the fastest true expansion teams in North American professional sports history to win a league championship.

The Bucks remained a powerhouse for the first half of the 1970s. In 1972, Alcindor, who had already privately converted to Islam and changed his name, publicly announced his name change to [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. The Bucks reached the division/conference finals for the third year in a row, but lost to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in six games. In 1973, they recorded their third consecutive 60-win season, the first NBA team to do so, but injuries resulted in an early playoff exit. The Bucks were back in the [[1974 NBA Finals]] against the Celtics. In game six of the series, Abdul-Jabbar made his famous "[[Hook shot|sky hook]]" shot in a classic double-overtime victory. However, the Bucks then lost in game seven, and did not return to the NBA Finals until 2021.

As the 1974–1975 season began, Abdul-Jabbar suffered a hand injury and the Bucks got off to a 3–13 start. After his return, other injuries befell the team, sending them to the bottom of their division with a 38–44 record. When the season ended, Abdul-Jabbar announced that he no longer wished to play for the Bucks and wanted to play in a larger market, either Los Angeles or New York. After the front office was unable to convince him to stay, the Bucks obliged Abdul-Jabbar's request by trading him to the Lakers on June 16, 1975, for [[Elmore Smith]], [[Junior Bridgeman]], [[Brian Winters]], and [[David Meyers (basketball)|David Meyers]]. The trade triggered a series of events that led to a change in the team's ownership. Minority owner and cable television executive [[Jim Fitzgerald (businessman)|Jim Fitzgerald]] opposed the trade and wanted to sell his stock.

===1976–1979: Post-Abdul-Jabbar era; "Green 'n Growing"===
After the deal, the Bucks had several seasons in transition, but most of these players would go on to help the team. After being sold to Fitzgerald and several partners in 1976, the Bucks would enter into another era of greatness. It began with [[Don Nelson]] who became head coach in November 1976 after [[Larry Costello]] abruptly resigned. In the 1977 draft, the Bucks had three first-round picks and drafted [[Kent Benson]], [[Marques Johnson]] and [[Ernie Grunfeld]]. Johnson would become a staple in the Bucks for years to come. Rookie [[Sidney Moncrief]] made his debut in 1979. Don Nelson went on to win two [[NBA Coach of the Year]] awards with the Bucks, both during seasons where the team won division titles, in 1983 and 1985.

On October 18, 1977, Abdul-Jabbar, playing with the Lakers, punched Benson during a game. Abdul-Jabbar broke his hand in the process.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walton Injury Opens Door for Bullets|url=http://www.nba.com/history/season/19771978.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314045723/http://www.nba.com/history/season/19771978.html|archive-date=March 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Benson had been aggressive under the boards and Abdul-Jabbar, a [[martial arts]] [[blackbelt (martial arts)|blackbelt]], snapped. Abdul-Jabbar was fined $5,000 by the NBA and missed the next 20 games. Meanwhile, Benson never played as aggressively again and the Bucks traded him to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in 1980 for veteran center [[Bob Lanier]] to fill in the hole left by the departure of Abdul-Jabbar. They then won the [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]] title in 1980. After losing to Seattle in the semi-finals, the Bucks moved to the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]'s [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]].

===1979–1990: The Sidney Moncrief era===
There, they would win six straight division titles and have .500 seasons for the next 11 years. Within those years, the Bucks became perennial Eastern Conference contenders, primarily due to the strong play of Moncrief, [[Marques Johnson]], [[Paul Pressey]], [[Junior Bridgeman]] and the arrival of [[Craig Hodges]], [[Terry Cummings]], [[Ricky Pierce]] and [[Jack Sikma]] from trades with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] and [[Seattle SuperSonics]] respectively. However, the Bucks were unable to make it to the NBA Finals again, being eliminated by either the Celtics or the [[Philadelphia 76ers|Sixers]] each time.

For much of the 1970s, the Bucks' colors were forest green, deep red and white. In 1978, they added various shades of green to the uniforms, and in 1985, they eliminated red from the team colors.

Noteworthy for the 1980s Bucks is that in [[1983 NBA playoffs|1983]] they became the first, and until [[2003 NBA playoffs|2003]], only team in NBA history to sweep the [[Boston Celtics]] in a best-of-seven playoff series, being the first team to meet and defeat [[Michael Jordan]] in [[1985 NBA playoffs|a playoff series]] (during Jordan's rookie year), and hosting [[Julius Erving]]'s final NBA game in the [[1987 NBA playoffs]], which would see the Bucks advancing with a game five first-round playoff victory.

====Ownership and arena changes====
In 1985, Fitzgerald and his partners (one of which was Stuart Shadel) decided to sell the Bucks. Fitzgerald was having health problems and some of his investors wanted to get out, and he was reeling from the failure of [[Sportsvue]], a pioneering regional sports network–a failure that came in part because Milwaukee itself was not wired for cable. By then, Milwaukee Arena was the smallest arena in the NBA, and the city did not want to build a new one. Milwaukee businessman and future U.S. Senator [[Herb Kohl]] bought the Bucks after fears that out-of-town investors could buy the team and move it out of Milwaukee. Before the transaction was complete, broadcaster [[Lloyd Pettit]] and his wife, [[Jane Bradley Pettit]], announced they were donating a new arena called the [[BMO Harris Bradley Center|Bradley Center]]. In 2003, after considering selling the team, Kohl announced that he had decided against selling the Bucks to [[Michael Jordan]] and would "continue to own them, improve them and commit them to remaining in Wisconsin".

On May 21, 2012, the [[naming rights]] of the Bradley Center were sold to [[BMO Harris Bank]], a division of [[Bank of Montreal]]. BMO Harris had merged with Milwaukee-based [[M&I Bank]] a year earlier. After the heirs to the Bradley fortune gave their approval, the arena was renamed the "BMO Harris Bradley Center".<ref>{{cite press release|title=Milwaukee's Bradley Center Becomes the BMO Harris Bradley Center As Local "Champions of the Community" Come Forward to Support Jane Bradley Pettit's Gift|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/milwaukees-bradley-center-becomes-bmo-harris-bradley-center-local-champions-community-come-f|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=October 3, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107053702/http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/milwaukees-bradley-center-becomes-bmo-harris-bradley-center-local-champions-community-come-f|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1990–1998: The period of struggles===
For most of the 1990s, the Bucks franchise was mired in mediocrity under coaches [[Frank Hamblen]], [[Mike Dunleavy, Sr.|Mike Dunleavy]], and [[Chris Ford]]. They would make the playoffs only three times during the 1990s, winning only one playoff game. From 1991 through 1998, the Bucks suffered a franchise-record seven straight losing seasons. During this period, the Bucks drafted [[Glenn Robinson]] with the first overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft and in 1996 acquired rookie [[Ray Allen]] in a draft-day trade with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]. Both players would have prominent roles in the Bucks' resurgence during the late 1990s. At the [[1998 NBA draft]], the Bucks made a trade that would come back to haunt them for years. At the draft, the Bucks selected [[Dirk Nowitzki]] with the ninth overall pick, but traded him to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in exchange for [[Robert Traylor]]. Many rank this as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history, as Nowitzki would go onto a 21-season career with the Mavericks, winning a championship in [[2011 NBA Finals|2011]] while being named Finals MVP in the process, along with winning the NBA MVP award in 2007. Meanwhile, Traylor would spend just two seasons with the Bucks before joining the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].

After the franchise's 25th anniversary in 1993, the Bucks overhauled their logo and uniforms. The colors were green, purple, and silver. The old logo, which featured a cartoonish deer, was replaced in favor of a more realistic one. The primary color scheme was altered as well, when red was supplanted by purple. Purple road uniforms replaced the former green away uniforms.

In 1997, the Bucks sent all-star forward [[Vin Baker]] in a three-team trade to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], and they would acquire [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] guard [[Terrell Brandon]] and forward [[Tyrone Hill]]. They also traded their 10th overall pick [[Danny Fortson]], guard [[Johnny Newman]], and center [[Joe Wolf]] to the [[Denver Nuggets]] for center [[Ervin Johnson]]. The 1997–98 Bucks finished their season with a 36–46 record, failing to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time.

===1998–2003: The Big Three era; "Let It Fly"===
After a decade of dwelling near the bottom of the NBA's standings, the Bucks looked to add credibility to their basketball operations. In 1998, the team hired veteran coach [[George Karl]], who had reached the [[NBA Finals]] with the [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. Under the leadership of Karl and general manager [[Ernie Grunfeld]], and with the steady addition of talent such as [[Tim Thomas (basketball)|Tim Thomas]] and [[Sam Cassell]], the Bucks developed into an elite team in the Eastern Conference. The nucleus of the "big three"—consisting of [[Ray Allen]], Cassell, and Robinson—along with Karl, created a successful renaissance era in Milwaukee. The team reached its zenith in 2000–2001, winning 52 games and their first division title in 15 years. The Bucks reached the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Charlotte Hornets. They lost the Eastern Conference finals in seven games to the 76ers. This era became known for many Bucks fans as the "Let It Fly" era, due to the high-scoring offense of the team, personified by the shooting of Robinson and Allen.

After coming within one game of an NBA Finals appearance in 2001, the Bucks sought to make key off-season player additions to put the team in the NBA Finals. Behind the strong encouragement of George Karl, the Bucks acquired forward [[Anthony Mason (basketball)|Anthony Mason]] at the beginning of the [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]]. On paper, this move made the Bucks the team to beat in the East. However, Mason battled with his weight and had a tough time finding his role.<ref>{{cite web|last=Markus|first=Don|title=Jury still out on Mason as plus/minus for Bucks|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2001-11-18/sports/0111180209_1_anthony-mason-milwaukee-bucks-karl|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=November 18, 2001|access-date=November 18, 2001|archive-date=April 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430002147/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2001-11-18/sports/0111180209_1_anthony-mason-milwaukee-bucks-karl|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bucks, who at the season's midway point were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, went into a swoon in February and March. The collapse culminated with a loss to the [[Detroit Pistons]] on the final night of the season, which eliminated the Bucks from the playoffs and gave the division to the Pistons. The fallout created tension between Karl and the players, resulting in a trade of [[Glenn Robinson]] to Atlanta (for [[Toni Kukoč]] and a 2003 first-round draft pick, used to select [[T. J. Ford]]).

During the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]], the Bucks traded Ray Allen and backup Ronald "Flip" Murray to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] for [[Gary Payton]] and [[Desmond Mason]]. The trade allowed emerging star [[Michael Redd]] to see increased playing time, and with Payton in the backcourt, they finished the season with a 42–40 record. The Bucks made the playoffs, but lost in the first round to the [[New Jersey Nets]] in six games. That offseason, team leaders [[Sam Cassell]] and Ervin Johnson were traded to Minnesota (for [[Joe Smith (basketball)|Joe Smith]]). Payton left via free agency, after playing only 28 games for the Bucks. Karl's tenure also ended after the season. Within a one-year period, the team had lost the coach and players most responsible for the team's success during that era.
[[File:Toni Kukoc.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Toni Kukoč]] playing for the Bucks.]]

===2003–2009: The Michael Redd era===
[[File:ReddBucks.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Michael Redd playing for the Bucks.]]
Under the direction of new general manager [[Larry Harris (basketball)|Larry Harris]], the Bucks struggled with inconsistency and injury for the next six years. During that period, they reached the playoffs twice, first under coach [[Terry Porter]] in [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004]] and then under [[Terry Stotts]] in [[2006 NBA playoffs|2006]]. In both instances, they were defeated by the [[Detroit Pistons]] in five games. During that period, [[Michael Redd]] blossomed into an all-star and a perimeter shooting threat, becoming the new "face of the franchise".<ref>{{cite web|last=Poust|first=Nick|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/993429-the-stardom-downfall-and-potential-resurrection-of-michael-redd|title=The stardom, downfall, and potential resurrection of Michael Redd|website=Bleacher Report|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022445/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/993429-the-stardom-downfall-and-potential-resurrection-of-michael-redd|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bucks received the first pick in the [[2005 NBA draft]], and used it to select center [[Andrew Bogut]]. Bogut struggled with both inconsistency and injuries in his first four years in Milwaukee, but over time became a key contributor to the Bucks.

In 2006, the team finished 40–42, last in their division, 24 games behind Detroit, but still made the playoffs in a season where every team in their division did. They were paired as the eighth seed versus the 64–18 conference-leading Pistons. They won game three at home, but lost the other four in a 4–1 series loss.

Also in March, the Bucks announced that they would not renew general manager [[Larry Harris (basketball)|Larry Harris]]'s contract, which was to expire in June. In April, the Bucks hired John Hammond, formerly vice-president of basketball operations for the Pistons, as their new general manager,<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks name John Hammond General Manager|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/hammond_named_general_manager_080411.html?rss=true|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=April 11, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225045344/http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/hammond_named_general_manager_080411.html?rss=true|archive-date=December 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> giving the Milwaukee team a fresh director recently associated with success.

Also in April, the Bucks announced that [[Larry Krystkowiak]], the third and final head coach hired by Larry Harris, had been relieved of his duties. [[Scott Skiles]], formerly of the [[Chicago Bulls]] and [[Phoenix Suns]], became head coach.

On June 26, 2008, the Bucks acquired [[Richard Jefferson]] from the [[New Jersey Nets]] in a trade for 2007 first-round draft pick [[Yi Jianlian]] and [[Bobby Simmons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3462210|title=Nets send top scorer Jefferson to Bucks for Yi, Simmons|date=June 26, 2008|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023172735/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3462210|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that day, the Bucks selected West Virginia's [[Joe Alexander (basketball)|Joe Alexander]] with the eighth pick of the NBA draft. Alexander was the first Taiwanese-born player in the NBA.

===2009–2013: The Brandon Jennings era===
[[File:Jennings3 20091204.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Brandon Jennings]]
In the [[2009 NBA draft]], the Milwaukee Bucks selected point guard [[Brandon Jennings]], who had not gone to college but played in [[Lega Basket Serie A|Italy]] the previous year. Midway through the season, Bucks' general manager [[John Hammond (basketball)|John Hammond]] traded [[Hakim Warrick]] to the [[Chicago Bulls]], and acquired [[John Salmons]]. In a Bucks uniform, Salmons averaged a team-leading 19.9 points per game. The play of Jennings, along with the improvement of Andrew Bogut, the improved [[Ersan İlyasova]], and the Salmons trade, catapulted the team to be a playoff contender. At the beginning of the season, the Bucks had low playoffs expectations; they had not been in four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/scoreboard/previews/76ers-@-bucks.cfm/date/03-24-10|title=NBA Previews for the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Matchup|publisher=Vegas Insider|date=March 24, 2010|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192102/http://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/scoreboard/previews/76ers-@-bucks.cfm/date/03-24-10|url-status=live}}</ref> In October, the Bucks quickly fell behind the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in the Central Division, but Milwaukee ultimately clinched a playoff berth on April 6, 2010, with a road win over the [[Chicago Bulls]].

It was during that time that the phrase ''"Fear the Deer"'' was coined, most likely by ESPN commentator [[John Anderson (sportscaster)|John Anderson]]. It was quickly adopted on message boards and within Andrew Bogut's Squad 6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/89079357.html|title='Fear the Deer' is catching on|author=Don Walker|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114352/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/89079357.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2019 |title=Where did "Fear The Deer" come from anyway? |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/bucks-fear-the-deer-history |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=OnMilwaukee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605131318/https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/bucks-fear-the-deer-history |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The slogan rang well with Bucks fans, who started bringing signs with the phrase to games. The slogan became the team's battle cry in the NBA playoffs. The Bucks finished the regular season with a record of 46–36. The Bucks clinched the sixth seed and were eliminated in a seven-game series against the [[Atlanta Hawks]]. It was the farthest Milwaukee had gotten in the post-season since [[2001 NBA playoffs|2001]]. The Bucks' short playoff run was also in part due to Bogut suffering a broken arm after making an awkward fall after a dunk in a late-season game, thus ending his season. In the 2010–11 season, the Bucks finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, just out of reach of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010-2011 DIVISION STANDINGS|url=http://www.nba.com/standings/2010/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 16, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530092257/http://www.nba.com/standings/2010/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

With Bogut sidelined for the rest of the season and [[Stephen Jackson]] and head coach [[Scott Skiles]] not seeing eye-to-eye, the Bucks decided to trade both players. On March 13, 2012, 48 hours before the trade deadline, the Bucks traded Bogut and Jackson to the [[Golden State Warriors]] in exchange for [[Monta Ellis]], [[Ekpe Udoh]], and [[Kwame Brown]].

Before the [[2012 NBA draft]], the Bucks sent a first-round pick, [[Shaun Livingston]], [[Jon Brockman]], and [[Jon Leuer]] to the Houston Rockets for a first-round pick and [[Samuel Dalembert]]. In the 2012 draft, the Bucks selected [[Doron Lamb]] and [[John Henson (basketball)|John Henson]].

After 32 games of the 2012–13 season, the Bucks fired Skiles, their coach since 2008. Jim Boylan was announced as the interim head coach and led the Bucks to a 22–28 record to finish the season at 38–44. The Bucks qualified as the eighth seed, where they were quickly swept 4–0 by the reigning, and eventual champions, the [[Miami Heat]].

===2013–present: The Giannis Antetokounmpo era===
[[File:Giannis Antetokoummpo (31669417562).jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Giannis Antetokounmpo]]]]

====2013–2014: under Larry Drew====
[[Jim Boylan]] was relieved of his coaching duties and ex-Atlanta Hawks coach [[Larry Drew]] was hired. On June 27, 2013, the Bucks chose Greek forward [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] with the 15th overall pick of the [[2013 NBA draft]]. They also brought in [[O. J. Mayo]], [[Carlos Delfino]], [[Zaza Pachulia]], and [[Gary Neal]] as well as seeing [[Monta Ellis]] opt-out of the final year of his contract. The Bucks also agreed to sign-and-trade Brandon Jennings to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in exchange for [[Brandon Knight (basketball)|Brandon Knight]], [[Khris Middleton]], and [[Viacheslav Kravtsov]]. The Bucks later extended their contract with [[Larry Sanders (basketball)|Larry Sanders]] with a four-year, $44 million contract and traded [[Ish Smith]] and Kravtsov to the [[Phoenix Suns]] for [[Caron Butler]]. By the start of the 2013–14 season, the Bucks only had four players on their roster from the previous season. The season itself was a struggle, as the Bucks finished with the worst record in the league at 15–67, the worst record in team history.

On April 16, 2014, long-time Bucks owner Herb Kohl agreed to sell a majority interest of the team to New York-based billionaires [[Wes Edens]], and [[Marc Lasry]] for $550 million, but Kohl retained a significant minority interest in the team. The new owners were expected to keep the team in Milwaukee. They were also expected to contribute $100 million toward building a new arena for the franchise.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks owner Kohl reaches deal to sell team|url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/16/bucks-franchise-sold.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=April 16, 2014|access-date=April 16, 2014|archive-date=July 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711014324/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/16/bucks-franchise-sold.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts|url-status=live}}</ref> Approval from the NBA Board of Governors came on May 15, a month later.<ref name="Charles F. Gardner, Don Walker"/><ref>{{cite news|title=NBA owners approve sale of Bucks to Edens, Lasry|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/nba-owners-approve-sale-bucks-edens-lasry|agency=Associated Press|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=May 15, 2014|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062540/http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/nba-owners-approve-sale-bucks-edens-lasry|url-status=live}}</ref> By this time, Bradley Center was seen as obsolete. The donation from the Bradley heirs did not provide for the arena's operating expenses or long-term capital needs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bradley Center a Home-Court Disadvantage|first=Don|last=Walker|url=http://www.jsonline.com/business/36087854.html|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=December 13, 2008|access-date=April 16, 2011|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105000000/http://www.jsonline.com/business/36087854.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This led the NBA to give an ultimatum to Edens and Lasry–unless the Bucks were either close to getting a new arena or actually opening a new arena by the 2017–18 season, Edens and Lasry would be required to return the franchise to the league, which would sell it to prospective ownership groups in [[Las Vegas]] and [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fox6now.com/2015/07/28/wisconsin-assembly-approves-milwaukee-bucks-arena-deal/ |title=Wisconsin Assembly approves Milwaukee Bucks arena funding deal; Gov. Walker says he'll sign it |publisher=[[WITI (TV)|WITI]] |date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021004627/http://fox6now.com/2015/07/28/wisconsin-assembly-approves-milwaukee-bucks-arena-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2014–2018: under Jason Kidd====
On July 1, 2014, the Milwaukee Bucks secured the coaching rights for [[Jason Kidd]] from the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in exchange for two second-round draft picks in the [[2015 NBA draft]], and the [[2019 NBA draft]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks name Jason Kidd coach|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11161771/milwaukee-bucks-officially-name-jason-kidd-coach-trade|publisher=ESPN|date=July 1, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630031811/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11161771/milwaukee-bucks-officially-name-jason-kidd-coach-trade|url-status=live}}</ref> With the acquisition of Kidd, the team fired coach [[Larry Drew]].

With the many changes to the Bucks in ownership, coaches, and acquiring new young players to rebuild the team, the Bucks' new slogan for the 2014–15 season became "''Own The Future''."

The Bucks' overall play vastly improved, and on December 26, the Bucks beat the [[Atlanta Hawks]] 107–77 for their 15th win, matching their win total of the previous season just 30 games in. The Bucks then went on a stretch from January 24 to February 20, where they went 10–2. The Bucks beat the Sacramento Kings on February 11 for their 30th win of the year, and also became the first-ever NBA team to double their win total from the previous season before the All-Star Break.

Off the court, the Bucks made several changes to their roster, releasing Larry Sanders after several off-court incidents that led to multiple suspensions. On February 19, in the final minutes of the trade deadline, the Bucks became part of a 3-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, sending Brandon Knight, who was in the final year of his contract, to the Suns, and receiving reigning Rookie of the Year [[Michael Carter-Williams]], [[Miles Plumlee]], and [[Tyler Ennis (basketball)|Tyler Ennis]]. The Bucks also lost expected superstar Jabari Parker to a season-ending knee injury on December 15 in a game against the Phoenix Suns.

On January 25, the NBA passed the '[[Jay-Z]] Rule', prohibiting ownership groups from consisting of more than 25 individuals, and also mandating that no ownership interest in a team be smaller than 1%. Both Lasry and Edens had sold chunks of Bucks ownership to family, friends, and prominent members of the Milwaukee community.<ref>{{cite web|title=New NBA Rule Forbids Teams From Having More Than 25 Individual Owners|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/236451/New-NBA-Rule-Forbids-Teams-From-Having-More-Than-25-Individual-Owners|website=RealGM Wiretap|access-date=July 11, 2015|date=January 29, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717010148/http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/236451/New-NBA-Rule-Forbids-Teams-From-Having-More-Than-25-Individual-Owners|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bucks finished the 2014–15 season with a 41–41 record. Their 26-game improvement from the previous season was the second-highest in franchise history. The Bucks made the [[2015 NBA playoffs]] as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, where they faced the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the first round, losing in six games.

On July 6, 2015, Bucks president Peter Feigin stated if public funding for a [[Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center|new arena]] fell through, the NBA could have bought the team and moved it to [[Las Vegas]] or [[Seattle]]. Current Bucks owners Wes Edens, Marc Lasry and Jamie Dinan combined with Herb Kohl to pledge $250 million for a new arena and sought a match from the public. Of those funds, $93 million would come from the Wisconsin Center District in the form of new debt on Milwaukee citizens. The district would not commence repaying the bonds until 13 years thereafter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kass|first=Mark|title=Bucks' Feigin: If arena deal not approved, NBA will move team to 'Las Vegas or Seattle'|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2015/07/bucks-feigin-if-arena-dealnot-approved-nba-will.html?ana=twt|work=[[Milwaukee Business Journal]]|date=July 6, 2015|access-date=October 3, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709073758/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2015/07/bucks-feigin-if-arena-dealnot-approved-nba-will.html?ana=twt|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 9, 2015, the Bucks confirmed their signing of center [[Greg Monroe]] to a three-year, $50 million contract. The Bucks also announced the club's re-signing of [[Khris Middleton]] to a five-year, $70 million contract.

On July 15, 2015, the future for the Bucks in Milwaukee was solidified after the Wisconsin State Senate voted 21–10 in favor of a proposal to use public money to help finance a replacement for the BMO Harris Bradley Center, which at the time was the third-oldest arena being used by an NBA team, behind [[Oracle Arena]], and [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks Statement on Wisconsin State Senate Vote|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-statement-wisconsin-state-senate-vote|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=July 15, 2015|access-date=October 3, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905192918/http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-statement-wisconsin-state-senate-vote|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Price|first=Satchel|title=Wisconsin State Senate Reaches Deal To Help Fund Milwaukee Bucks' New Arena|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2015/7/15/8970063/wisconsin-state-senate-milwaukee-bucks-arena-deal-public-money-funding-2015|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|date=July 15, 2015|access-date=October 3, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120936/http://www.sbnation.com/2015/7/15/8970063/wisconsin-state-senate-milwaukee-bucks-arena-deal-public-money-funding-2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the court, the young roster of the Bucks went through a step backward, to a 33–49 record in the 2015–16 season, though Giannis Antetokounmpo had an encouraging stretch in the final half of the season, accumulating 5 triple-doubles.

On June 18, 2016, ground was broken for the Bucks' new arena.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks Break Ground on New Multi-Purpose Arena|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-break-ground-new-multi-purpose-arena/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=June 18, 2016|access-date=June 26, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622192644/http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-break-ground-new-multi-purpose-arena|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 19, 2016, the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo agreed to a 4-year, $100 million contract extension. In addition, the team would add new young improvements to the roster in drafting [[Thon Maker]] and [[Malcolm Brogdon]], and made trades to bring in [[Tony Snell (basketball)|Tony Snell]] and [[Michael Beasley]]. When the 2016–17 season began, the Bucks were without Khris Middleton, who suffered a torn hamstring during a practice. Even so, the Bucks remained competitive, staying around .500 for the first half of the season, with both Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker leading the offense. While Parker missed making the All-Star team, Giannis was voted in as a starter, becoming the first Bucks All-Star since Michael Redd in 2004.

In January, the Bucks slumped, though fans anticipated a turnaround with Middleton's return on February 8 against the Miami Heat. In the same game, however, Parker tore his ACL for the second time in 3 seasons, ending his season. Even so, Middleton's return still sparked a turnaround in March. During the month, the Bucks went 14–4, putting the team back in the thick of the playoff race. On April 8, 2017, the Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 90–82, clinching the Bucks a playoff spot. On April 10, the Bucks beat the Charlotte Hornets 89–79 to clinch only the third winning season for the Bucks since 2001. The team finished the 2016–17 regular season with a 42–40 record. Giannis Antetokounmpo made history, becoming only the 5th player in NBA history to lead his team in all five major statistical categories, and was the first in NBA history to finish in the top 20 in the league in each category. The Bucks were the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and lost in the opening round to the Toronto Raptors, 4–2.

On May 23, 2017, Bucks general manager John Hammond stepped down to become general manager with the [[Orlando Magic]].

On January 22, 2018, the Bucks fired [[Jason Kidd]], who had a 23–22 record in the 2017–18 season. In Kidd's three and a half seasons as head coach, the Bucks had a regular-season record of 139–152 and reached the first round of the NBA playoffs in the 2014–15 and 2016–17 seasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bucks Relieve Jason Kidd Of Head Coaching Duties|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-relieve-jason-kidd-head-coaching-duties|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123191229/http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-relieve-jason-kidd-head-coaching-duties|url-status=live}}</ref> Bucks' assistant coach [[Joe Prunty]] was announced as Kidd's replacement on an interim basis for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Armas|first=Genaro C.|title=Milwaukee Bucks fire coach Jason Kidd|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/01/22/milwaukee-bucks-coach-jason-kidd-fired-report|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123074836/http://www.nba.com/article/2018/01/22/milwaukee-bucks-coach-jason-kidd-fired-report|url-status=live}}</ref> Prunty finished the season with a 21–16 record, leading the Bucks to an overall 44–38 record, their best since the 2009–10 season. Seeded seventh in the 2017–18 Eastern Conference playoffs, the Bucks lost the series to the second-seeded [[2017–18 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]], 4–3.

====2018–2023: under Mike Budenholzer====
On May 17, 2018, the Bucks announced former [[San Antonio Spurs]]' assistant coach and former Atlanta Hawks head coach [[Mike Budenholzer]] as their new head coach.<ref name="Budenholzer hired">{{cite news|title=Mike Budenholzer Named Head Coach Of The Milwaukee Bucks|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/mike-budenholzer-named-head-coach-milwaukee-bucks|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032625/http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/mike-budenholzer-named-head-coach-milwaukee-bucks|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 26, 2018, the Bucks' new arena, [[Fiserv Forum]], opened to the public.

Since 2018, the Bucks host Pride Night at Fiserv Forum, an event to celebrate the [[LGBT community|LGBTQ+ community]]. On January 22, 2022, the annual event was hosted for the 5th time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2022 |title=Pride Night: Milwaukee Bucks to celebrate LGBTQ+ community during Saturday's game |url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/pride-night-milwaukee-bucks-to-celebrate-lgbtq-community-during-saturdays-game |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=TMJ4 News |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118211207/https://www.tmj4.com//news/local-news/pride-night-milwaukee-bucks-to-celebrate-lgbtq-community-during-saturdays-game |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bucks stormed through their [[2018–19 Milwaukee Bucks season|2018–19 regular season]], racing out to a 25–10 start en route to finishing 60–22, the fifth 60-win season in franchise history and the first time they had won that many in a regular season since the 1980–81 season. They also finished with the league-best record for the second time in franchise history, equalling their 1970–71 championship season. This earned them home-court advantage in any playoff series for the first time since 2001, and only the second time in the new millennium. On April 22, 2019, the Bucks swept the [[Detroit Pistons]] for their first playoff series win since 2001. On May 8, they eliminated the [[Boston Celtics]] in five games to reach their first Conference Finals since 2001, where they lost to the eventual league champion [[Toronto Raptors]] in six games. After the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the league's [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]]. General Manager Jon Horst won the [[NBA Executive of the Year award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/awards/story/_/id/27003891|title=Every winner, best moments from the 2019 NBA awards show|date=June 25, 2019|work=ESPN.com|access-date=July 1, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016003426/https://www.espn.com/nba/awards/story/_/id/27003891|url-status=live}}</ref>

In their [[2019–20 Milwaukee Bucks season|2019–20 season]], the Bucks clinched a playoff berth after the team's 56th regular-season game, becoming the fastest team to clinch a playoff spot measured by the number of games played and by the calendar date (February 23) since the NBA changed its playoff format in 1984.<ref name=cancian>{{Cite journal | last = Cancian | first = Dan | title = Can Milwaukee Win 70 Games? Bucks Make NBA History As They Clinch Earliest Playoff Spot In Current Postseason Format | url = https://www.newsweek.com/milwaukee-bucks-playoffs-spot-earliest-date-clinched-70-games-win-1488730 | journal = [[Newsweek]] | date = February 24, 2020 | access-date = March 15, 2020 | archive-date = March 14, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200314065907/https://www.newsweek.com/milwaukee-bucks-playoffs-spot-earliest-date-clinched-70-games-win-1488730 | url-status = live }}</ref> Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Bucks were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release|title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019-20 season with 22 teams returning to play|website=www.nba.com|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027164406/https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 26, the Bucks’ players refused to play in their playoff matchup against the [[Orlando Magic]] following the [[shooting of Jacob Blake]] by police.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/sport/milwaukee-bucks-boycott-playoff-game/index.html | title = Milwaukee Bucks boycott NBA playoff game, league postpones two other games | work = [[CNN]] | date = August 26, 2020 | access-date = August 26, 2020 | archive-date = December 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201221143832/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/sport/milwaukee-bucks-boycott-playoff-game/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2020/8/26/21403117/milwaukee-bucks-game-5-boycott-orlando-magic-police-brutality-jacob-blake-shooting|title=The Bucks are sitting out Game 5 against the Magic to protest police brutality|first=James|last=Dator|date=August 26, 2020|website=SBNation.com|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828115823/https://www.sbnation.com/2020/8/26/21403117/milwaukee-bucks-game-5-boycott-orlando-magic-police-brutality-jacob-blake-shooting|url-status=live}}</ref> Antetokounmpo received his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award after returning home from the NBA Bubble upon the Bucks losing in the semi-finals of the [[2020 NBA playoffs]] to the Miami Heat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cacciola |first=Scott |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Milwaukee Bucks Are Eliminated From the Playoffs by the Miami Heat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/sports/basketball/nba-milwaukee-bucks-miami-heat-giannis.html |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213000824/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/sports/basketball/nba-milwaukee-bucks-miami-heat-giannis.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2020 |title=Giannis wins 2nd straight MVP award in landslide |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29913814/sources-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-wins-second-straight-mvp-award |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918230306/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29913814/sources-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-wins-second-straight-mvp-award |url-status=live }}</ref> During the first possession of a [[2020–21 NBA season|2020–21 regular season]] game against the Detroit Pistons on January 6, both teams took a knee in protest to the announcement that criminal charges would not be filed against police officers in the Blake shooting. The Bucks held the ball for seven seconds in reference to Blake's seven gunshots.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Bucks, Pistons take knee on opening possessions |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30665108/milwaukee-bucks-detroit-pistons-take-knee-game-opening-possession |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109195342/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30665108/milwaukee-bucks-detroit-pistons-take-knee-game-opening-possession |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the offseason, the Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a 5-year, $228 million contract extension, the largest contract in NBA history. Along with resigning their superstar, the Bucks also made a trade which resulted in Eric Bledsoe and George Hill being sent to the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] and receiving a former All-Defense player in [[Jrue Holiday]]. The Bucks also strengthened their bench with free agent signings of [[Bobby Portis]] and [[Bryn Forbes]]. In their [[2020–21 Milwaukee Bucks season|2020–21 season]], the Bucks clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 46–26, as well as their third consecutive Central Division title. It was the third consecutive season the Bucks had a winning percentage of at least .600, the first time it had happened in franchise history since 1984–86. During the season, the Bucks acquired [[P. J. Tucker]] to further strengthen their defense for the playoffs.

[[File:P20211108AS-1807 (51845519782).jpg|thumb|250px|Members of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrating their 2021 championship at the White House]]
In the [[2021 NBA playoffs]], the Bucks began by defeating the Heat in a four-game sweep in the first round in a rematch of the previous year's Eastern Conference Semifinals. They then defeated the Brooklyn Nets (led by [[Kevin Durant]], [[Kyrie Irving]] and [[James Harden]]) in seven games in the Conference Semifinals, culminating with a Game 7 victory on the road at [[Barclays Center]]. They then defeated the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in six games in the Conference Finals to secure their 3rd NBA Finals appearance in franchise history and their first since [[1973–74 NBA season|1974]]. In the [[2021 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], the Bucks faced the [[Phoenix Suns]], who were favored after defeating the defending champion [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the Western Conference first round. The Bucks came back from down 2–0 to win the series. Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks in the series including a 50-point performance in a 105-98 Game 6 victory at Fiserv Forum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/sports/basketball/milwaukee-bucks-nba-finals-championship.html |title=The Milwaukee Bucks Win the N.B.A. Championship |website=The New York Times |date=July 20, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721104938/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/sports/basketball/milwaukee-bucks-nba-finals-championship.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bucks finished 2021–22 with a 51–31 record, their 4th consecutive season with a winning percentage of .600 or better, as well as their 4th consecutive Central Division title, their longest streak of division championships since 1979–1986. Once again with the 3-seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks beat the rival [[Chicago Bulls]] 4 games to 1 in the first round, but lost Middleton to a sprained knee in game 2. Without Middleton, the Bucks struggled to find offensive support for Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Though the Bucks had a 3–2 lead in the series, they would lose game 6 at home and game 7 on the road, ending their season.

During the 2022 off-season, the Bucks selected [[MarJon Beauchamp]] and [[Hugo Besson]] with the 24th and 58th overall picks in the [[2022 NBA draft]] respectively. The Bucks also re-signed Portis to a 4-year, $48 million contract as well as [[Wesley Matthews]] and [[Serge Ibaka]] to 1-year deals and [[Jevon Carter]] to a 2-year, $4.3 million deal. The Bucks also signed [[Joe Ingles]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-sign-joe-ingles|title=Milwaukee Bucks Sign Joe Ingles|publisher=NBA|date=July 6, 2022|access-date=June 10, 2023|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215203151/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-sign-joe-ingles|url-status=live}}</ref> to a 1-year deal out of free agency. Despite Middleton playing just 33 games over the course of the 2022–23 season, the Bucks finished with a 58–24 record, the best in the league. They went into the [[2023 NBA playoffs]] as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference and faced the Miami Heat in the first round. Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury just a few minutes into the first game of the series following a blocking foul from [[Kevin Love]] as Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket. Antetokounmpo would go on to miss games 2 and 3 and, despite his return for games 4 and 5, the Bucks lost the series 4–1. On May 4, 2023, a week after their series loss, the Bucks announced the firing of Budenholzer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/37424110/sources-bucks-fire-coach-mike-budenholzer-early-exit|title=Bucks fire coach Mike Budenholzer after early exit|publisher=ESPN|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=June 10, 2023|archive-date=June 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610124439/https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/37424110/sources-bucks-fire-coach-mike-budenholzer-early-exit|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2023–present: Coaching changes, arrival of Damian Lillard====
On June 5, 2023, the Bucks announced that former [[Toronto Raptors]] assistant coach [[Adrian Griffin]] would be their new head coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/the-bucks-got-their-guy-in-adrian-griffin|title=The Bucks got their guy in Adrian Griffin|publisher=NBA|date=June 5, 2023|access-date=June 10, 2023|archive-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609152717/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/the-bucks-got-their-guy-in-adrian-griffin|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 27, 2023, the Bucks acquired seven-time all-star point guard [[Damian Lillard]] in a 3-team trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard|title=Bucks Acquire NBA 75th Anniversary Team Member Damian Lillard|date=September 27, 2023|website=Bucks.com|access-date=November 4, 2023|archive-date=October 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009152819/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38505763/sources-blazers-trading-damian-lillard-bucks-3-team-deal|title=Blazers deal Damian Lillard to Bucks in blockbuster 3-team trade|date=September 27, 2023|website=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=November 4, 2023|archive-date=November 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101163946/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38505763/sources-blazers-trading-damian-lillard-bucks-3-team-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 23, 2024, the Bucks fired Griffin after only 43 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks-fire-coach-adrian-griffin-after-43-games-reportedly-eyeing-doc-rivers-as-potential-replacement/|title=Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games, reportedly eying Doc Rivers as potential replacement|last=Quinn|first=Sam|date=January 23, 2024|website=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref> On January 26, 2024, the Bucks named [[Doc Rivers]] as the new head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-hire-doc-rivers-as-head-coach|title=Milwaukee Bucks Hire Doc Rivers as Head Coach|date=January 26, 2024|website=Bucks.com|access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref>

On December 17, 2024, the Bucks won their first [[NBA Cup]], after defeating the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in the [[2024 NBA Cup championship game|championship game]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Bucks Beat Thunder to Win First NBA Cup, Giannis Antetokounmpo Named MVP |url=https://www.si.com/nba/bucks/news/bucks-beat-thunder-to-win-first-nba-cup-giannis-antetokounmpo-named-mvp-ak1987 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Milwaukee Bucks On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] was named the tournament's MVP.<ref name=":0" /> 

Later in the season, the Bucks would be eliminated in the first round for the third straight season.