Point guard Brandon Knight is one of five key players 23 years old or younger for the Milwaukee Bucks. Credit: Gary Porter

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Toronto — "Green and Growing" was the theme for a reconfigured Milwaukee Bucks team after the trade of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers in the mid-1970s.

So what about this young Bucks team? It has struggled to a franchise-record 15 victories with just two games remaining in the regular season. But the players are convinced better times are ahead.

The Young and the Restless? The Green Team? The Near Deer?

Call them what you want. Hey, they just don't want to go through another season of constant losing.

This team has plenty of work to do to become competitive again. But it does have a young core featuring 22-year-old point guard Brandon Knight, 22-year-old small forward Khris Middleton, 19-year-old small forward Giannis Anetokounmpo, 23-year-old forward-center John Henson and 22-year-old guard Nate Wolters.

Is there enough talent there — combined with some fresh talent in the June draft — to put a respectable product on the court?

That's the key question facing the Bucks organization as it enters the off-season, possibly under an altered ownership picture if Herb Kohl is able to seal a deal with new investors.

Of those five young players, four were in their first season with the Bucks in 2013-'14. And the 6-foot-11 Henson was in his second year in Milwaukee.

"I'm a very optimistic guy and I always believe in the best," Knight said. "With the guys we have here, we can definitely be a lot better. What we expected to happen this year and who we expected to play ... with some guys being injured, it just didn't get off to a great start.

"When that happens, in this league it's tough to recover. I think a fresh start and a fresh mind-set for all of us will definitely help going into next year."

There are flaws all of the young players have to address as they seek to improve in the off-season.

Knight wants to limit his turnovers and improve his ability to direct the team. Middleton has surprised with his ability to score and hit from three-point range, but his defense needs to improve.

Henson needs to get stronger to battle some of the big men he must face on a nightly basis, and he will be working this summer on a right-handed hook shot. Wolters will try to build on a promising rookie season and improve his midrange and three-point shooting skills.

Antetokounmpo? The Greek Freak has been brilliant at times and ordinary at others, part of the up-and-down progression expected from a 6-10 player who is learning a new culture and suddenly facing the top players in the world.

"I've found out all that I need to know about every guy that's out here right now," said Bucks coach Larry Drew.

"Brandon and John Henson, Larry (Sanders), all the guys. I've got a finger on who these guys are as ballplayers and what they are. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer, but these guys have had opportunity to play.

"These guys have had to deal with adversity. These guys have had to deal with injury. Some guys have had to play out of position.

"All those things are tests to see how a guy handles a certain situation. It won't be hard when we sit down and talk about personnel, each guy."

That time is coming in just a few days after the season ends Wednesday with a home game against Atlanta.

The Bucks are planning a big summer for their young players and everyone on the roster, trying to forge a sense of togetherness before next season.

Knight said that process already has started.

"I can take things from other guys around the league and how they motivate their teammates," Knight said. "A lot of that comes with time. This is my first year with this group of guys. We've grown dramatically close in that short time frame.

"That's why just spending time with guys this summer will definitely help me in the area of leadership."

Wolters, still recovering from a broken left hand, said he was looking forward to the off-season and a second stint with the summer-league team.

"I think we've all got to improve," the former South Dakota State star said. "I'm sure we'll add a couple pieces and we'll be a lot more competitive next year.

"No one wants to have a season like this. I mean, I don't care who you are. If you're competitive, you don't want a season like this. It's been tough, a lot of losses. That should give us motivation for the summer to work hard and have a better year next year."

Wolters admitted he would be watching the results of the May draft lottery and following the Bucks' selection process in the June draft.

"We're going to get a great player, regardless what happens (in the lottery)," Wolters said. "That will be exciting to get another guy, a piece to the puzzle. I'm really looking forward to summer league and playing with him, whoever we get."

Certainly the Bucks had incredible lows this season, starting with Sanders' thumb injury due to a bar brawl after just the third game of the season. That set an ominous tone that continued with the poor fit of guard Gary Neal and his eventual trade to Charlotte. Add in the weight and conditioning issues that have plagued guard O.J. Mayo, signed to a three-year, $24 million deal in the off-season. Carlos Delfino, expected to be a veteran contributor, missed the entire season after undergoing surgery on his right foot.

But the Bucks are already pointing to next season.

"It's a humbling experience," Henson said. "It's one of those, 'It could-always-happen-to-you type experiences.' From 1 to 15 we haven't played our best, so it's something to use as motivation for the summer."