Milwaukee is staring down a brutal 2026-27 NBA season, kicking things off with a No. 29 preseason power ranking and the crushing reality that they don’t even own their 2027 first-round draft pick. After limping to a 32-50 record last season and missing the playoffs entirely, this year looks like a full-blown rebuild in the worst way possible.
The Post-Giannis Era Kicks Off With a Bang (of Trades)
Talk about a seismic shift! The biggest news of the offseason? Giannis Antetokounmpo, alongside Bobby Portis, got shipped to the Miami Heat. Taurean Prince and Gary Harris also went to the Pistons. That’s a massive talent drain, no two ways about it. In return, the Bucks brought in Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakučionis from the Heat, plus Caris LeVert from the Pistons. They also locked down Ousmane Dieng for three years, $17.5 million, and Gary Trent Jr. for four years, $64 million. On draft night, they picked up Brayden Burries at No. 10, Nate Ament at No. 13, and Malique Lewis at No. 60. This squad, now led by Tyler Herro and new coach Taylor Jenkins, is a completely different animal.
Rookies, Rollins, and the Lost Draft Pick That Stings
So, what’s even worth watching in Milwaukee? For fans, it’s all about the young guys. You gotta hope those rookies, Burries and Ament, show some serious promise. The new imports from Miami look intriguing too, especially Kel’el Ware who’s already “going off” in fantasy and Jaime Jaquez Jr. who unexpectedly snagged a starting spot. Existing young talent like Ryan Rollins, Ousmane Dieng, and Bogoljub Marković are also getting attention. Rollins actually averaged 22.4 points per 75 possessions on 58% true shooting last season in minutes without Giannis, which is a big deal! Can he step up and become a cornerstone? That’s the million-dollar question.
But here’s the kicker, and what makes this season so rough: they don’t have their 2027 first-round pick. That bad boy is headed to New Orleans or Atlanta, which means every single loss this season helps another team get better. With a core leaning on Herro, Myles Turner, and Kyle Kuzma, the source even says they have a “slim chance of even sniffing the play-in.” Yikes! Unless one of these young guys makes a crazy, unexpected leap, this whole year could feel aimless, with not enough talent to compete. The fantasy report didn’t mince words either: Kyle Kuzma is “hot garbage.” So, yeah, for Bucks fans, player development is the only real victory they’ll be celebrating.
25.5 Wins and a Long Road Ahead
The oddsmakers are not kind. The Bucks’ win total is projected at a dismal 25.5. Want to bet on them winning the division? +30000. NBA Finals? A staggering +75000. Basically, don’t hold your breath for any championships. The best-case scenario for Milwaukee is missing the playoffs but seeing those rookies and the guys from the Giannis trade package truly thrive. If Burries and Ament show out, if two or more of Ware, Jaquez, and Jakučionis make big leaps, and if Herro either becomes a legit All-Star or fetches serious assets in a trade, then hey, that’s a win.
The Bucks kick off their season on October 21st at the Wizards, then host the Bulls on October 23rd, and hit the road again on October 24th to face the 76ers. It’s gonna be a long season, but all eyes will be on those young bucks to see who shows up and who becomes part of their future.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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