Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country.
Our season predictions will come in October, when we undertake our first of four Roundtables for the season, but before we get to them we’re after your expertise.
In years past, the Bucks were pretty much guaranteed to have representation in the end-of-season awards. And while most of those can be attributed to Giannis Antetokounmpo and his
brilliance—from MIP to MVP and everything in between—others, too, received some spotlight.
Most recently, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez made the All-Defensive First Team in 2022-23. That same year, Holiday also took home the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award, which he also won two years earlier (when he also won the NBA Sportsmanship Award). In 2022-23, Lopez similarly doubled up, taking home the NBA Community Assist Award. Outside of those three, other recent Bucks award winners include Mike Budenholzer (2018-19 Coach of the Year), Eric Bledsoe (2018-19 All-Defensive First Team; 2019-20 All-Defensive Second Team), and Malcolm Brogdon (2016-17 Rookie of the Year).
This season, awards are far less likely. But that doesn’t mean they are out of reach. In fact, if things play out favourably, any number of Bucks players could see themselves feature in end-of-season voting. That being said, here are the awards the Bucks have the best shot at making a run at—along with the players who have the best chances of doing so:
Most Improved Player
Ryan Rollins arguably should have won this award last year, yet somehow he wasn’t even a finalist. And while a similar statistical jump is unlikely—last year’s was insane—players often benefit from recognition the year after they actually deserve it, especially with an award like this. If the Bucks surprise—let’s face it, this is a prerequisite for nearly all of these projections to have a chance at coming to fruition—Rollins will likely be at the centre of it. That, coupled with a bump in points that comes mostly at the foul line (with the newfound respect that a player gets the year after breaking out), could just get the job done.
The other Buck who has a real shot at this award is Kel’el Ware. Kept on a short leash for his Miami Heat tenure, Ware has game that very few centres have. He’s a rebounding machine, a dunk threat anywhere near the hoop, an emerging rim protector, and a 40% three-point shooter. Should he earn enough playing time—he averaged 18.1 PPG and 14.0 RPG on .646/.514/.739 shooting splits with a 145 offensive rating and 107 defensive rating in games in which he played 30 or more minutes last year—watch out.
Outside of Rollins and Ware, increased opportunity courtesy of two wide open forward spots gives Jaime Jaquez Jr. a shot at this award too.
Sixth Man of the Year
Ricky Pierce is the only Buck to ever win this award and he did it twice (1986-87 and 1989-90), while Bobby Portis garnered attention in recent years, twice finishing as a finalist. Looking forward, a number of this year’s crop of Bucks could find themselves in contention and you don’t have to squint hard to see it. Herro has already won the award, so he knows what it takes, Jaquez was runner-up just last year, so he knows too, and, if Myles Turner starts, Ware could really feast on reserve bigs.
But the Buck I’ll keep my eye closest on, at least as far as this award goes, is Kevin Porter Jr. Coming off a productive but injury-plagued 2025-26 season, Porter could flourish in a sixth man role, where he’d likely have greater opportunity to do what he does: dominate the ball while racking up points and assists (aka the prototypical 6MOY playstyle). That he’s a flashy player—handle, dimes, dunks—can only help his cause. Of course, all of this conjecture could become moot depending on how Taylor Jenkins decides to manage his rotations.
Rookie of the Year
Considering the draft class, this one might be a bit of a reach, but Brayden Burries was arguably the best rookie in Summer League play and Bucks fans see him becoming an All-Star down the road—so he might as well start collecting hardware this season. Truthfully, there are likely too many guards in front of him on his own team to make a real push. But you never say never, not with a guy like Burries.
All-Rookie Team
Even if he doesn’t win ROY, Burries still has a chance at hardware via All-Rookie honours, especially as there are two teams that need filling. It won’t be easy—this draft is that deep—but Burries was the 10th overall pick, so he only has to play up to that pick to earn selection. And if that somehow eludes him, Nate Ament or Bogoljub Markovic might even surprise (not really, but it’s nice to dream).
Coach of the Year
Outside of the players themselves, new head coach Taylor Jenkins has a pathway to hardware too. The recipe is straightforward: take control of a team that’s gone through turmoil, including losing its franchise GOAT, and get them to greatly exceed expectations. He’s got a few things going in his favour too. One, he’s succeeding Doc Rivers. Two, no one expects the Bucks to do much of anything—in fact, most expect them to be one of the very worst teams in the NBA. So, if Jenkins can turn this team into a gritty, upstart squad that other teams dread and, in the process, somehow gets them to postseason play (even just the Play-In Tournament), he’d be more than deserving of consideration.
Alright, that’s enough from me. What do y’all think? Cast your vote below and, as always, share your musings in the comments.
