2026-27 Season Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

Nate Ament and Brayden Burries join the Bucks this offseason after being selected in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Offseason Recap

•

Last Season

:

32-50 (11th in East, missed postseason)

• Key Additions

Nate Ament, Brayden Burries, Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caris LeVert, Bogoljub Marković, Kel’el Ware

Every Bucks move this offseason

Season Outlook

A new era of Bucks basketball is set to begin in the wake of the

trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo

— the franchise cornerstone and two-time MVP who led Milwaukee to the 2021 NBA title — to the Miami Heat.

In exchange for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, the Bucks received a haul of players and future draft picks — the foundation of a rebuilding effort that begins under

new head coach Taylor Jenkins

as the Bucks define their new identity in a post-Giannis world.

At the center of the new-look Bucks is former All-Star and Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, who arrives from Miami alongside a trio of young players in Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis looking to reach their potential in a new setting.

The Bucks also added a pair of lottery picks in Brayden Burries and Nate Ament (acquired in the trade). They still hold two future first-round picks (2031, 2033) and a pick swap (2030) from Miami, giving Milwaukee a strong mix of current and future assets.

Breakout Candidate: Kel’el Ware

While Herro is the headliner of the haul the Bucks received from Miami in exchange for Antetokounmpo, the development of Ware could be the key factor in determining the long-term value of the trade.

The 7-footer has enormous potential as a two-way big man for years to come. In his sophomore NBA season with Miami, Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 3-pointers per game, while shooting 53% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc in just 22 minutes per game.

In his 34 starts, he averaged a double-double (12.8 points, 10.7 rebounds) while increasing his efficiency from long range (40.9% on 3.4 attempts) over 26.7 minutes per game. With the Bucks in a transition phase, Ware should get ample playing time in Milwaukee to develop his game and unleash his full potential.

1 Number To Know

318

— Last season, the Bucks got just 318 minutes from first or second-year players, while every other team got more than 1,300. The Bucks were all-in on contending with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and there was minimal player development going on. Ryan Rollins had a breakout season, but was in his fourth year and just turned 24.

Now, the Bucks have six guys who were selected in the top 20 in the last five drafts. That’s mostly from the Antetokounmpo trade to Miami, though their own struggles last season produced the highest of those selections: Brayden Burries, who was the 10th pick this June. A future timeline is now in place, though the Bucks are still at a deficit in regard to future picks.

— John Schuhmann

5 Must-See Matchups

• Oct. 23: Bulls vs. Bucks —

Milwaukee’s home opener gives Bucks fans a first chance to welcome their new-look squad. It comes against a division rival in Chicago, with the all-time series nearly dead even (Bulls lead 138-137).

• Nov. 18: Bucks vs. Heat —

The Bucks visit Miami for the first time since the trade that reshaped both rosters. Not only will Milwaukee face Antetokounmpo for the first time, but it marks the return of Herro, Ware, Jaquez Jr. and Jakučionis to Miami for the first time as visitors.

• Dec 12: Bucks vs. Grizzlies —

Return games aren’t only circled on the calendars for marquee players. In this case, new Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins returns to Memphis for the first time after leading the Grizzlies for six seasons (2019-2025) and guiding them to a 250-214 record and three playoff appearances.

• Jan. 26: Bucks vs. Jazz —

Last February, Burries (20 pts, 12 reb) led Arizona over Darryn Peterson (24 pts) and Kansas in a Big 12 matchup before both became top-10 picks in the NBA Draft. Now they meet for the first time as pros as Milwaukee visits Utah.

• Jan. 28: Heat vs. Bucks —

Cue up the video tribute as Antetokounmpo returns to Milwaukee for the first time since this summer’s trade to Miami. Despite the long “will-they-or-won’t-they” trade saga over the past few seasons, Giannis is sure to receive a warm welcome back from the Milwaukee faithful.

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Complete Regular Season Schedule

Preseason Storylines

Training camp and the preseason will offer a first glimpse at this new era of Bucks basketball as Jenkins looks to establish his own culture and find the right pieces to put together a team that can compete on a nightly basis.

With extensive roster turnover, several position battles will determine who starts and who comes off the bench. Key questions linger on how returning players like Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma and AJ Green will fit alongside all the new faces joining the squad.

It will take Jenkins some time to find the right lineups and combinations to maximize the potential of the talent he has on this roster — a journey that begins at the end of this month.

Complete Preseason Schedule