After the excellent Las Vegas Summer League campaign he just had, Bucks rookie Brayden Burries has (rightfully) turned more than a few heads. He averaged 23.5 points per game and earned a spot on the All-Summer League First Team. And by doing so, he has also suddenly put Jon Horst and company in a tight spot, particularly where Tyler Herro's future with the team is concerned.
Brayden Burries' rising stardom might make Tyler Herro expendable sooner than later
Burries led all lottery guards in points, rebounds, steals, and three-point shooting efficiency during the showcase. We can go on and on about the feats and stats he achieved in his campaign, but the point is this: he's looked like a bona fide star in every game he's played in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform. And while Summer League is nothing compared to real NBA competition, Burries has earned the right to be considered for a starting job in the regular season. He's obviously not at the level Herro is at just yet, but he's shown he deserves a real shot to show what he has and what he can still develop into down the line.
The Bucks' roster crunch is very real, too. Let’s look at the simple, inescapable math of the present situation: the team is carrying 17 standard players, meaning two or more cuts or trades are coming down the pipe before the dust settles on the offseason. More importantly, the backcourt is choked with talent. Between Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Caris LeVert, Kasparas Jakučionis, and Herro himself, Milwaukee is swimming in guards.
Of course, there is a lot of merit in keeping Herro in the 414. He's already endeared himself to fans with his passion and familiarity with the team as he grew up a Bucks fan. His presence should also mean good mentorship for the young guards on the team.
But after earning First Team All-Summer League honors, Burries isn't just knocking on the door of the rotation. He looks entirely capable of stepping into a starting role from day one. And his emergence should force Jon Horst and the Milwaukee front office to think much harder about the presence of Tyler Herro.
The Bucks need to make a decision about Tyler Herro soon
The time is soon coming for Jon Horst to make a decision about who stays and who goes. The Bucks have a chance to lean all the way into their new identity, clear the books of redundancies taking up opportunities meant for developmental pieces, and let the kids cook.
So it's clear that Horst has some tough calls to make before opening night. But if Burries' Vegas run proved anything, it's that the future in Milwaukee might already be here, and it might be time to find a new home for the past.
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