The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Bucks and Bulls

This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.

The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster construction raised serious questions about the team’s direction moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Bulls leaned into a youth movement, with Josh Giddey stepping into a lead playmaking role and rookie Matas Buzelis showing promise as a two-way cornerstone. However, defensive issues and roster instability ultimately defined their season, resulting in another year on the outside looking in.We break down what went wrong, who stepped up, and what both franchises must address as they head into a pivotal offseason.

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