Who should the Milwaukee Bucks build around?
The Milwaukee Bucks made the biggest move in franchise history this offseason when they traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.
The full deal saw Milwaukee trade Gianis and Bobby Portis for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick.
The Bucks used the 13th overall pick Tenneesee forward Nate Ament. They also had the 10th pick in the draft, using it to select Arizona guard Brayden Burries.
Milwaukee now has seven rotation players who are 25 years or younger.
Of those seven who are the top building blocks for Milwaukee?
Kel'el Ware
Drafted 15th overall in 2024, Ware has shown improvement in his first two seasons in the league. There are still inconsistencies to his game, but he just turned 22 in April and has shown that he can be a starting caliber center in the NBA.
He averaged 11.1 points, nine rebounds, and 1.1 blocks last season for the Heat.
In Milwaukee, he has a chance to play behind Myles Turner before likely usurping him as the starter. Playing behind Turner will allow him to further grow while also building chemistry with the other young pieces.
Jamie Jaquez Jr
He's the oldest of the building blocks at age 25, and he's also the most accomplished. He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting this past season and will likely get the starting nod in Milwaukee.
He's a well-rounded player who averaged 15.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists. His lack of an outside shot will hurt him, but as a driver and table setter, he can connect the team in a way that no one else on the roster can.
Brayden Burries
Nate Ament is the younger of the two draft picks, and he might have the higher overall upside with his skill set, but he also has the higher bust potential.
Burries is a safe bet to be a long-term starter who could eventually become an All-Star player. He's a strong two-way player who averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, two steals and one block in Summer League.
He shot the ball well and didn't turn it over, which were two more positive signs for him in Summer League.
He's the key long-term piece for Milwaukee and Bucks fans should get used to watching him.
