The Milwaukee Bucks just wrapped up what was arguably the most successful era in franchise history. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, they won the 2021 NBA Championship. This summer, they decided to ship Antetokounmpo out, sending him to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal that saw them add solid players and a ton of draft capital.
So, what now? Milwaukee got back Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis. Could one of those guys be the next player to turn into Antetokounmpo? To be the franchise player for the Bucks moving forward? Or will they end up being nothing more than role players who the Bucks got back in return for their former franchise star?
With that in mind, here are three players – or perhaps even concepts – who are currently most likely to be the Bucks’ franchise player in the post-Antetokounmpo world.
3 Bucks most likely to be the post-Giannis franchise player
1. Brayden Burries
Does Brayden Burries have it in him? A solid Summer League stretch doesn’t prove anything, but if nothing else, it does show that he’s capable of being something at the NBA level.
The No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft doesn’t always turn into a star. It’s not like the Bucks picked him in the top three. But if Burries can blossom into the offensive engine he has the potential to become, he could be special.
Burries is the type of two-way player who could become a star in the NBA. If the Bucks develop him well enough, there’s a small chance he could be the guy to lead them into their next era.
2. Their 2028 draft pick
What if the Portland Trail Blazers fail? What if the Ja Morant experiment ends up being a disaster? Well, that's a reality the Bucks should be hoping for.
Obviously, the Bucks don't have control of their draft picks for a while, but in 2028, the Blazers only have the option to swap. And if both teams end up in the lottery, that would be great for Milwaukee.
With the new lottery odds, anything can happen. So, if the Blazers fail to make the postseason in 2028, Milwaukee's top draft pick in 2028 could be its next best hope at landing a franchise star.
3. Nate Ament
There are a lot more questions with Nate Ament than some other guys. Herro was already an All-Star once. Ware and Jakucionis have plenty of potential. But Ament could – could – be the guy.
It seems unlikely. Ament may turn out to be a bust in the NBA. He’s got all the makings of a guy who is too skinny, can’t defend well enough, and scores too inefficiently at the next level.
But what if he puts on muscle? What if the efficiency ticks upward and he uses his length to maximize his scoring? What if he can tap into all the potential a lot of people believe he has? Well, then the sky could be the limit.
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