Milwaukee began a new era by trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and replacing its longtime superstar with a collection of young talent and established scorers.
No NBA team experienced a more emotional transformation this offseason than the Milwaukee Bucks.
The franchise officially ended the Giannis Antetokounmpo era by trading its two-time MVP to the Miami Heat. Bobby Portis, another member of Milwaukee’s 2021 championship team, joined him in the blockbuster deal.
Rather than begin a complete teardown, the Bucks used the trade to build a younger roster around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and a collection of promising prospects.
Feb 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guardTylerHerro(14) looks for a shot against MilwaukeeBucksforward Kyle Kuzma (18) and center Jericho Sims (00) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesEvery player Milwaukee added
Milwaukee’s incoming group is headlined by Herro, who arrived from Miami after averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 33 games last season. The 26-year-old guard immediately becomes the Bucks’ most accomplished scorer.
The Bucks also acquired Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis in the Antetokounmpo trade. Ware averaged 11.1 points and 9.0 rebounds last season, while Jaquez produced career highs of 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
Milwaukee also received the draft rights to Nate Ament, the No. 13 pick, along with multiple future draft assets. Ament joins No. 10 pick Brayden Burries as the organization’s two new first-round prospects. Burries strengthened his case for an immediate rotation role by averaging 23.5 points during Summer League.
Feb 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guardTylerHerro(14) looks for a shot against MilwaukeeBucksguard Ryan Rollins (13) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesThe Bucks later acquired Caris LeVert and two second-round picks from the Detroit Pistons. Milwaukee sent Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to Detroit in that deal.
Bogoljub Marković, selected in the second round of the 2025 draft, signed a multiyear contract. Milwaukee also added Kam Jones on a two-way deal and retained Pete Nance after briefly waiving him.
Every player who departed or returned
Antetokounmpo and Portis were the most significant departures. Antetokounmpo left as the franchise’s career leader in games, points, rebounds, assists and blocked shots. He also led Milwaukee to its first NBA championship in 50 years.
The Bucks traded Prince and Harris to Detroit for LeVert. Those four veterans were the only players listed by NBA.com as Milwaukee’s official offseason departures as of Aug. 14.
Milwaukee also took care of several players already in the organization. Gary Trent Jr. returned on a four-year, $64 million contract after averaging 8.1 points last season. The Bucks re-signed Ousmane Dieng to a three-year deal, while Marković and Nance received multiyear contracts.
The Bucks’ offseason created a roster with a drastically different identity. Herro, Jaquez and LeVert bring scoring and playmaking, while Ware, Ament and Burries provide long-term upside.
Replacing Antetokounmpo’s production and presence is impossible for one player. Milwaukee instead chose volume, youth and flexibility, giving new coach Taylor Jenkins a roster capable of competing while developing its next core.
The Bucks are no longer built around one generational superstar. Their future now depends on whether Herro can become a reliable centerpiece and whether Milwaukee’s collection of young players can grow together.
