There were some wild outcomes in our first NBA 2K simulation, an AI-controlled affair that offered a glimpse of what could happen for the Milwaukee Bucks this season. Some outcomes were fun to see, some were not, and some were… tragically ironic (sorry, Scoot). This time, let’s take a look at a more realistic simulation of how the Bucks’ season might turn out. I’ll be setting the lineups and player minutes—and trying to pull off some roster moves that I think would be realistic and beneficial for the Bucks.
Start of the Season
The season begins with the Bucks clearing their roster issues: waiving Kevin Porter Jr., Johni Broome, Jake Stephens, and Pete Nance before welcoming back Nance on a two-way contract. That leaves their starting lineup looking exactly as it did for Taylor Jenkins and the real Bucks (save for the reversal of the forward positions):
PG: Ryan Rollins
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
C: Myles Turner
Amid early-season play, the Bucks are twice ranked 21st in the power rankings and once 22nd. The way things are going in real life, I’m sure Bucks fans wouldn’t be too mad to see this.
Roster-wise, the Bucks have Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, Gary Trent Jr., and Kyle Kuzma all on the trading block. On the flipside, Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament—a young core trio that Bucks will be looking to hold and develop over the next few years—are set as their untouchables.
Two Months In
In December, Milwaukee sits 7-24 on the season. One of the “leading” factors in this has been Myles Turner, who has been horrible, scoring just 7.9 PPG on 33% from the field (Editor’s note: So, pretty true to life?). On a better note, Kel’el Ware looks great and has been averaging a double-double off the bench. As such, he will move into the starting position in a bid to improve the team’s 27th-ranked rebounding.
TRADE ALERT: The Milwaukee Bucks are sending AJ Green and Jericho Sims to the Denver Nuggets for Marvin Bagley III, Zeke Nnaji and a 2028 second-round pick.
The Nuggets, short on options at the two-guard position, make the trade for Dairy Bird with the intention of improving their second-to-last in the league ranking in three-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Bucks acquire Bagley, who is having a strong season, averaging 10.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG on 56% shooting from the field, to bolster the big rotation. In Naji, they also add a theoretical scoring boost at power forward, a skill Jericho Sims has been unable to provide. More importantly, Milwaukee adds to its draft chest.
All-Star Break
The Bucks roll into the All-Star Break with an 18-41 record, showing improvement after their slow start to the season. Despite starting to turn his season around, Turner remains a prominent name on the trade block; unfortunately, nothing comes together for the Bucks, even with Kristaps Porzingis, Miles Bridges, and Rui Hachimura all being floated for him. It has, however, been made clear that Turner’s name will still be in trade talks come the offseason.
On a more positive note, Jakučionis makes the World Team for the Rising Star Game, averaging 10.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 3.2 APG. He doesn’t lead the Bucks in any category, though. Those honours go to:
- Points: Tyler Herro (17.1 PPG)
- Rebounds: Kel’el Ware (10.8 RPG)
- Assists: Ryan Rollins (4.1 APG)
- Steals: Ryan Rollins (1.6 SPG)
- Blocks: Myles Turner (2.1 BPG)
As a team, the Bucks are the 28th-ranked offence in the league, with 109.6 PPG. Their defence is better, though, ranking 19th in the league (giving up 121.4 PPG). It’s not quite the “Bad Boy Bucks” that fans have been hoping for, but definitely a step in the right direction in the Bucks’ quest to become a defensive-minded team. As for power rankings, Taylor Jenkins’ team hovers between 26th and 27th, a regression from the start of the season despite their improved play. Looking at the standings, Milwaukee sits 13th in the Eastern Conference and 25th overall.
End of Regular Season
Down the stretch, the Bucks improve slightly, finishing as the 27th-ranked offence with 110.6 PPG. Their defence fares better, ranking 19th overall, despite giving up 121.2 PPG. As far as the standings go, Milwaukee finishes 26-56 and in the 13th position in the Eastern Conference—a very realistic outcome and probably a spot where Bucks fans wouldn’t be too mad to finish. On a positive note, Brayden Burries makes the All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 6.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG, and 0.8 APG. It’s a pleasing accomplishment for Burries, even if the numbers are underwhelming. And on that note, the Bucks statistical leaders end up as:
- Points: Tyler Herro (17.3 PPG)
- Rebounds: Kel’el Ware (11.1 RPG)
- Assists: Ryan Rollins (4.1 APG)
- Steals: Ryan Rollins (1.5 SPG)
- Blocks: Myles Turner (2.0 BPG)
The Offseason
On the night of the NBA draft, the Bucks are looking to make a trade and still Turner’s name is ringing hot in front offices around the league. Yes, even after another down season, teams are looking to take a swing on him.
The phone rings. It’s the Portland Trail Blazers…
BREAKING NEWS: The Portland Trail Blazers are trading the 20th overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for Myles Turner and the 45th pick in the draft.
The Trail Blazers make the move believing they are one piece away from being a top-3 contender in the Western Conference, and feel strongly that the twin towers of Myles Turner and Donovan Clingan are going to be the key to getting past the dominant bigs of the West, like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.
With the pick, the Bucks select Babatunde Oladotun, a 6’10”, lengthy, high-upside forward out of Maryland. But the surprises don’t end there. In one of the biggest draft-day falls, the Bucks pick up 7’3” center Luigi Suigo out of Villanova. Suigo was projected to be a lottery pick earlier in the year, but it seems questions regarding his cardio and frame began to swirl around the league, enabling the Bucks to take a swing on the big man with the 35th pick.
Following the draft, the Bucks exercise the team options on both Ware and Jakučionis to kick off their free agency period. They then re-sign Jaquez, Herro, and Rollins to new contracts. They also add Jalen Smith and Santi Aldama on cheap deals to add some more size to their lineup following the Turner trade.
Along with the additions, the Bucks say goodbye to fan favourite Kuzma, veteran Caris LeVert, and two-way players Cormac Ryan and Kam Jones. Heading into the 2027-2028 season, the starting lineup thus looks like this:
PG: Ryan Rollins
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Ousmane Dieng
PF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
C: Kel’el Ware
Overall, this certainly isn’t as blockbuster as the AI-controlled simulation, but I feel like it is a better look at a realistic outcome: retaining the Bucks’ core and adding some key pieces to raise the team’s floor.
So, did this 2K simulation tickle your fancy, or was it a fever dream a little too close to reality? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
