The NBA is back. Training camp got underway this week, with the Milwaukee Bucks set to enter a new era following the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee sent the former MVP to the Miami Heat for a package that included former UCLA Bruin star Jaime Jaquez Jr. heading back to the Bucks.
Jaquez is set to enter his fourth season in the NBA, but his first away from South Beach. Jaquez finished in second place for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, being edged out by Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
Jaquez put up 15.4 points per game in his final season with the Heat, shooting 50.7% from the field and 31.7% from three with 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists. That statline made him an attractive piece for a Bucks team that is now looking
for a new direction. Jaquez isn’t joining a brand new team, with Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and Nate Ament being shipped alongside him to the Bucks.
The former Bruin star spoke to the media during the Bucks’ media day, detailing his experience being traded for the first time.
“I was told that you’re not really in the NBA until you get traded. So this is my welcome to the NBA, welcome to Milwaukee,” Jaquez said. “I’ve been doing my best to get acclimated within the community. Go around town, go to different restaurants, meet different people. Every time I take my dog for a walk, I get people walking down saying ‘Go Bucks, Go Bucks’ so I feel a lot of love here. I really appreciate the city embracing myself, Tyler Kal’el and Kas.”
Jaime Jaquez Jr. on being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks: "You know, I was told that you're not really in the NBA until you get traded. So this is, I guess, my 'Welcome to the NBA', 'Welcome to Milwaukee'. You know, I've been doing my best to get acclimated within the community.… pic.twitter.com/4do3Yp066H
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) September 29, 2026
The Southern California native spent his college days in Los Angeles before heading to Miami. Now Jaquez will experience a full winter in Wisconsin while attempting to help turn around a Bucks franchise.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Jaime Jaquez Jr. speaks on being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks
