Pre-Draft Outlook
Everything Bucks-related at this stage has pivoted after the reported pre-Draft trade of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Since he’ll play his 13th NBA season for another franchise, Milwaukee’s approach to 2026-27 and beyond is likely a down-to-the-studs rebuild. The biggest additions from the trade are Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro, but the roster is otherwise threadbare. Coach Doc Rivers is gone, too, having snagged his alleged dream job a couple of seasons too late. Rivers’ replacement, Taylor Jenkins, can fit whether he has Antetokounmpo on board or not.
The Way to Go
The Athletic reported that the Bucks met and spoke with a fleet of draft prospects at the Chicago combine, enough that the tactic seemed to extend beyond just the No. 10 pick. It could have been prep work for securing multiple picks in an 11th-hour Antetokounmpo transaction, a way to kick-start the rebuilding process in a draft regarded as deep. One player’s name has appeared in multiple mocks: Tennessee’s Nate Ament. The 6-foot-10 wing could help with or without Antetokounmpo and showed enough between a slow start and a late-season injury to merit consideration here. Another name: Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. to team in the backcourt with Ryan Rollins, one of Milwaukee’s few bright spots from last season.
— Steve Aschburner
Under Contract
G: A.J. Green
G: Ryan Rollins
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
F: Kyle Kuzma
F: Bobby Portis
C/F: Myles Turner
Free agents
G: Gary Harris
G: Andre Jackson Jr.
G: Gary Trent Jr.
G/F: Kevin Porter Jr.
F: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
F: Ousmane Dieng
F: Taurean Prince
C: Jericho Sims