After seemingly being held hostage by Giannis Antetokounpo ever since they won the NBA finals in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks have finally decided to send Giannis to his long rumored destination on the beaches of Miami. The package that the Bucks got in return was probably less than what a player of his caliber should command, but admittedly they did alright given the circumstances. It’s most definitely a rebuild in Milwaukee, but the real question is: For how long?
Milwaukee Bucks: Over/Under 25.5 wins (-120/-105)
To win Central Division: 100/1
To win Eastern Conference: 500/1
To win Finals: 1000/1
Last season: 32-50, 11th in the Eastern Conference
Key additions: Most of last year’s Miami Heat rotation, Brayden Burries (10th pick in Draft), Nate Ament (13th pick in Draft)
Key losses: Thanasis Antetokounmpo and his slightly better brother, Giannis
Coaching change: Doc Rivers OUT (now analyst for NBC), Taylor Jenkins IN (previously fired by Memphis in March 2025)
Correctly, this Bucks franchise has
given new coach Taylor Jenkins a clean slate to work with. This roster is very young, and there is a lot of promise with the players that they drafted, along with the guys they acquired via the Giannis trade. Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel’el Ware and Jamie Jacquez Jr. all need reps to continue their development after some uneven seasons in South Beach. While Brayden Burries is seemingly ready to be a plug and play combo guard in the NBA, Jenkins might want to poke and prod at his abilities as an on-ball creator throughout the season.
Perhaps most importantly, Nate Ament needs to have his development and role prioritized. He was one of the best prospects in the country coming out of high school, but an up and down year at Tennessee sent him falling further in the draft than many thought. The talent and skillset are still there, and still remarkable for someone who is nearly seven-feet tall. However, Ament is closer to a ball of Play-Doh than he is a finished NBA product. If the Bucks are going to be good in the future, it’s likely because Ament is who many think he can be.
Development, not wins, will be at the forefront of the Bucks year. I expect the record to show that accordingly.
