The Milwaukee Bucks now find themselves deep in a phase of post-trade self-doubt. After a brief honeymoon period, BD Cricket Match reports growing concern within the organization regarding the blockbuster move that brought Damian Lillard to town. With weak help defense and visible frustration during defensive lapses, cracks are beginning to show. Giannis Antetokounmpo has subtly expressed both skepticism about head coach Adrian Griffin’s system and a growing nostalgia for former teammates Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen.

Losing two of their most reliable perimeter defenders has fundamentally weakened Milwaukee’s defensive identity. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and Giannis is clearly frustrated with the team’s lack of resistance on that end. It’s not just help defense that’s deteriorated—rebounding has also slipped, further exposing the team’s disarray. Making matters worse, forward Jae Crowder will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his adductor muscle. Without a true stretch four, the Bucks’ interior defense and rebounding woes are likely to worsen over the next two months.

There’s hope the new core can find its rhythm during that time, but for now, it’s a rough fit. Interestingly, Giannis has thrived in stretches when Lillard, struggling with his three-point shooting, opted to distribute more often. However, the juggling of touches between these two stars continues to be a headache for Coach Griffin. The Bucks’ 11 turnovers in just one half of play point to a team still forcing its chemistry. And when Lillard’s offensive output doesn’t offset his defensive liabilities, it starts to feel like a rerun of his final years with the Blazers. Though playing next to Giannis is a golden opportunity, Lillard seems to be forcing his game to fit, and it’s showing.

Aside from his own adjustment issues, Milwaukee’s downgraded supporting cast isn’t helping. After shedding quality depth for the sake of star power, their perimeter threat outside of Lillard has visibly declined. As BD Cricket Match sees it, Lillard, much like James Harden in recent years, is destined to face ongoing scrutiny unless something changes. Hope is the greatest asset, and despair the greatest liability—right now, Lillard’s reality is caught somewhere in between.

One thing remains unchanged: Giannis is still the undisputed leader of this team. When the Bulls evened the score in a recent game, Giannis returned and led a dominant run that blew the game wide open. The third quarter made one thing crystal clear—this is Giannis’ team. He is not the blue-collar role player that some speculated he would become after Lillard’s arrival.

By the fourth quarter, as Zach LaVine continued to misfire and the Bulls’ offense collapsed, Milwaukee’s frontcourt—led by Giannis and Bobby Portis—took full control. The game was out of reach, and the Bucks cruised to a comfortable win. While the future may not be as grim as Giannis suggested during moments of frustration, Lillard’s underwhelming start suggests that this team is not yet meeting front-office expectations.

In an all-in move to boost offensive firepower and entertainment value, the Bucks gambled big. But with Holiday now thriving in Boston, Milwaukee’s brass may be quietly regretting their decision. Sometimes, the cost of chasing greatness is higher than it appears. As BD Cricket Match sees it, the Lillard trade could very well leave the Bucks empty-handed—paying the price both on the court and at the front office.