yahoo
In the first season after the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, the Milwaukee Bucks are not expected to make a playoff push. Furthermore, with their first-round pick headed to the New Orleans Pelicans, there is little incentive to monitor the draft. Consequently, the entire focus this year will be on evaluating the current roster.
The blockbuster trade that sent Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat yielded a substantial return: a collection of draft picks and promising young players. Among those acquired are Tyler Herro (26), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (25), Kel'el Ware (22), and Kasparas Jakučionis (20). Combined with Milwaukee's existing youth movement, the front office now has the flexibility to assess every player and determine who fits into the team's future.
How these young players develop is the most critical storyline for the Bucks this season. Will Brayden Burries or Nate Ament emerge as future stars? Can Ryan Rollins take another step forward? How will the former Heat players mesh in Milwaukee? Equally important, however, is whether the front office can convert these players into valuable assets via trades.
League executives are already whispering that the Bucks could become a prime target for teams seeking big men who can both shoot 3-pointers and protect the rim—a rare combination that many contenders covet. Ware and Myles Turner epitomize this skill set, and they could either help Milwaukee build for the future or propel another team to a championship.
Key Analysis
Ware never fully gained the trust of Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, so his development under new head coach Taylor Jenkins will be closely watched. On one hand, Ware's per-minute production is impressive: he averaged 11.1 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 22.1 minutes per game while shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc. However, his defensive effort and focus were inconsistent, which prevented Spoelstra from giving him a larger role. If Ware can defend more consistently and maintain his 3-point shooting, Milwaukee would have strong reasons to keep him. Turner, on the other hand, is a 30-year-old proven commodity who can run the floor, knock down 3s, and block shots. He was a key contributor on a Finals team just a year ago. It seems more likely that the Bucks would be motivated to trade Turner rather than Ware, but they could entertain offers for either—or any player on the roster—during this transitional season.
For Turner or Ware, seven of the top 13 teams in my power rankings should have interest: the Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Pistons, Raptors, Sixers, and Timberwolves. If teams like the Bulls, Magic, and Mavericks become competitive, they could also make sense as trade partners. That's 10 potential suitors. As for the Bucks, I ranked them 28th in my power rankings, which drew criticism from some fans. Since the team has no incentive to tank—their pick goes to New Orleans—there's no reason to lose intentionally. And with a roster full of promising young players, they could exceed expectations. That argument is fair. The trade deadline is still months away. For now, the Bucks need to evaluate their entire roster, especially their two big men. Can Jenkins get more consistent effort from Ware? Can Ware and Turner share the floor effectively, providing two rim protectors without sacrificing spacing? And how much can Turner's veteran presence aid the development of the young guards? While fans of other teams may dream of trade scenarios involving Milwaukee, the Bucks will also see value in retaining their current pieces. The franchise-altering trade has already been made; this season is about charting the next course.
Originally reported by yahoo.