Milwaukee opens camp with a new coach, a new lead guard and a lot of young players fighting for minutes.
The Milwaukee Bucks open training camp on Tuesday with a new coach and a roster that has changed a lot since last spring.
Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is now with the Miami Heat after the trade that became official on July 6, and head coach Taylor Jenkins takes over a team that went 32-50 and missed the postseason.
Media day is Monday, and three storylines stand out heading into camp and the preseason.
Tyler Herro Takes Over as the Main Option
Guard Tyler Herro came to Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade, and the offense will now run through him.
He grew up just outside Milwaukee and made the All-Star team in 2025, but last season was rough.
Herro played only 33 games after left foot surgery in September 2025, averaging 20.5 points, and he had a minor foot procedure in April.
The first thing to watch is his health.
If Herro looks like himself in camp, the Bucks have a real scorer to build around, and there is a good case that he could be in for a career year.
He is also in the last year of his contract, so this season will shape his future too.
Herro has already brushed off low outside expectations for this team, according to NBA.com.
"Obviously there's going to be people who probably don't think we'll win many games, but that's the opposite of what we're thinking," Herro said.
That is the right attitude, and now Herro has to back it up on the floor.
A Crowded Guard Room for Jenkins to Sort Out
Jenkins has a lot of guards and not enough minutes.
Guard Ryan Rollins averaged 17.3 points and shot 40.6% from three in 74 games last season, and guard Kevin Porter Jr. averaged 17.4 points in 38 games before he had right knee surgery in April.
Rookie guard Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick, is in the mix too, along with guards A.J. Green, Gary Trent Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis and Caris LeVert.
The Bucks have 17 players on standard contracts for 15 spots, with 16 of those deals guaranteed.
That means someone could be traded or cut before opening night, and the preseason will show who earns a spot.
Porter's knee will be one of the first questions at media day.
How Fast the Young Core Grows
Center Kel'el Ware could be the most interesting player in camp.
He averaged 11.1 points and 9.0 rebounds for Miami last season while shooting 39.5% from three, and he could be the team's biggest X-factor if he takes on a bigger role.
That puts pressure on center Myles Turner, who averaged 11.9 points last season.
Forward Nate Ament, the No. 13 pick, gets his first NBA camp, and guard-forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has until Oct. 19 to work out an extension.
How much these players grow will say more than any early win total.
The Bucks open the preseason at home against Minnesota on Oct. 5 and start the regular season at Washington on Oct. 21.
Nobody expects a title run, but a healthy Herro, a clear guard rotation and a real step forward from Ware would make this rebuild look further along than a 32-50 team usually does.
