Milwaukee Bucks begin rebuild after Giannis trade
| Star traded | Giannis Antetokounmpo sent to Miami Heat after 13 seasons |
|---|---|
| Key return | Tyler Herro, four players, and draft pick assets |
| New head coach | Taylor Jenkins |
| League probe | NBA investigating Gary Trent Jr.'s $64M contract extension |
The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for their first NBA season without two-time Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo after trading the star forward to the Miami Heat. The move ends Antetokounmpo’s 13-year tenure in Milwaukee and launches a major rebuilding phase for the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Major roster reshuffle
Prior to the NBA draft in June, Milwaukee finalized a blockbuster deal sending Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis to Miami. In return, the Bucks received four players, headlined by former All-Star guard and Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, along with Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, in addition to draft pick compensation. Milwaukee subsequently drafted Brayden Burries with the No. 10 pick in June and added guard Caris LeVert.
To lead the overhauled roster, the Bucks hired Taylor Jenkins as head coach. Jenkins faces the task of managing a roster where up to 12 players could compete for regular playing time, including young players such as Burries and Ryan Rollins.
Financial commitments and league scrutiny
The franchise’s transition comes alongside notable financial obligations. Last year, Milwaukee signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract in an effort to satisfy Antetokounmpo before his eventual exit. The team has not yet found a trade partner for Turner’s contract.
Additionally, the Bucks re-signed guard Gary Trent Jr. this month to a four-year, $64 million contract following a difficult season. The agreement has drawn scrutiny, with the NBA opening an investigation into the contract signing.
Competitive outlook and draft constraints
Milwaukee enters the upcoming season with reduced expectations and an unusual draft situation: the franchise does not control its own 2027 first-round pick. Consequently, intentionally dropping down the standings to secure better draft odds offers limited value for the team.
Statistical projections place the team near the bottom of the league, with ESPN’s Basketball Power Index ranking Milwaukee 28th. However, metrics measuring combined player win histories rank the squad 17th overall. The team may compete for a lower play-in spot in the Eastern Conference while evaluating long-term roster fits.
Background
Antetokounmpo was selected by Milwaukee in 2013 and spent 13 seasons with the franchise, leading the Bucks to an NBA championship. Milwaukee and the Miami Heat developed a notable postseason rivalry in recent years prior to completing the trade.
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