From at least one perspective, the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason isn’t among the best in the Eastern Conference. Following the trade of the franchise’s best player ever and the Gary Trent Jr. fiasco, CBS Sports contributor Sam Quinn gave Jon Horst and the Bucks a C- for their efforts.
“Without control over their own first-round picks, they should have no fear of the relegation zone. They should be trading any veterans with a shred of value – most notably Myles Turner and Tyler Herro – for whatever draft
capital they can get. They haven’t. They set themselves up for a disappointing offseason by waiting too long to trade Antetokounmpo, and sure enough, that’s how things played out,“ Quinn wrote.
Still, the Bucks weren’t given the worst grade in the conference, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets receiving D+ and D grades, respectively.
Milwaukee might have dodged the basement of Quinn’s Eastern Conference grades by taking the Heat’s offer for Giannis instead of the Boston Celtics’, which was highlighted by Jaylen Brown (who was ultimately dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers). While the Heat package didn’t bring the Bucks back an All-NBA talent, it did give them multiple assets—players and picks—that they can work with down the line, whether they keep them on the roster or flip them for future assets. On top of that, they selected Brayden Burries with their number 10 overall pick, whose impressive play in the Las Vegas Summer League already has him looking like a draft steal.
Ultimately, while Quinn’s perspective might be that the Bucks aren’t in a good position, the Summer League play of Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, along with the expected growth of Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, and Jaime Jaquez—not to mention Tyler Herro’s impending second act—gives Bucks fans reason for hope that they should lean into as the 2026-27 approaches.
One thing that might make Quinn retroactively change his grade would be if the Bucks got Peyton Watson. Of course, there is a real possibility that, in order to acquire Watson, the Bucks might need to give up Ryan Rollins. What say you?
Brew Hoop community, what would you grade the Bucks’ offseason? Get your grading pens out and use them in the comment section below.
