Milwaukee's rebuild has produced a surprising amount of young talent, and the pecking order heading into training camp is starting to take shape.
The Milwaukee Bucks traded away Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and came out the other side with a collection of young players that most rebuilding teams would be happy to have.
The question heading into the 2026-27 season is how those pieces stack up against each other, because the minutes and roles that get handed out in training camp will say a lot about where this franchise is heading.
The Top Tier
Point guard Ryan Rollins sits at the top of the list, and it is not particularly close.
He averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 rebounds last season while shooting 40.5 percent from three and 52.3 percent from two.
Those are borderline All-Star numbers from a 23-year-old who was a second-round pick out of Toledo.
Those numbers explain why the organization has been building around him as the centerpiece of the rebuild.
Rollins told reporters over the summer that his focus is in the right place.
"I'm just ready to come in and make an impact, continue the growth, build a culture, and build a winning foundation."
Rookie guard Brayden Burries slots in at number two after Milwaukee selected him out of Arizona in the 2026 draft. He showed the ability to play on and off the ball during summer league, and his defensive instincts and unselfishness stood out among the new additions.
The Bucks believe he can contribute right away alongside Rollins in the backcourt.
Center Kel'el Ware takes the third spot with averages of 11.1 points and 9.0 rebounds on 60 percent shooting from two and 39.5 percent from three.
A seven-footer who can stretch the floor and protect the rim is hard to find on any roster, let alone a rebuilding one, and Ware has shown enough to suggest he can be a long-term starter.
The Rest of the Group
Point guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been one of the more interesting pieces in the rotation.
He shot 42.3 percent from three on three attempts per game and posted a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in limited minutes.
At 6-foot-5 with strong pick-and-roll instincts, he gives Taylor Jenkins another ball-handler to develop behind Rollins.
Forward Nate Ament, the team's other 2026 draft pick from Tennessee, is the first true forward on this list and brings shooting potential that could open up the floor alongside Ware.
Forward Ousmane Dieng averaged 11 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season and is entering restricted free agency, which makes his development one of the bigger questions the front office has to answer.
Center Bogoljub Markovic rounds out the group after winning ABA League MVP with 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds overseas.
What It All Means
None of these players are finished products, and that is the whole point of this season.
The Bucks are not trying to win a championship right now.
They are trying to figure out which of these young players can develop into a group that competes for one down the road.
Rollins has separated himself as the clear leader of the group, and the rest of the ranking will keep shifting as training camp and the regular season reveal more about who is ready and who needs time.
