With the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade finally going through on July 6, the Milwaukee Bucks are already facing a decision around new wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. The Sixth Man of the Year runner-up is heading into the final year of his rookie-scale deal, leaving the Bucks with a decision to make on a possible contract extension before he has even suited up in a green jersey.
Jaquez can be a great piece for the Bucks moving forward
It is always hard to judge a player before they have even stepped on the court for their new team. It becomes even more difficult when the 25-year-old is heading into the final year of his rookie-scale contract.
There is so much to like about Jaquez, and his second-place finish in the Sixth Man of the Year race shows how much he can bring to a team. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists on shooting splits of 50.7/31.7/76.9. He only started one game in Miami during the 2025-26 season and Taylor Jenkins may envision him having a similar impact from the bench.
Nate Ament, Ousmane Dieng, and Taurean Prince are the current small forwards on the roster alongside Jaquez. The 2023 first-round pick is more than likely the front of that pecking order with what he has shown in his first three seasons in the NBA, and there is still potential for him to grow.
Jaquez may not grow into an All-Star, but it is clear he can plug a lot of holes on both sides of the ball, and he will be useful for the Bucks moving forward.
Would the Bucks really trade him?
At 25, there is still room for him to develop as a player, and that is what will not only interest the Bucks but also other teams should Milwaukee look to move him. It is common in the league for players on expiring deals to be shipped off for draft capital, allowing teams competing to add another rotation piece in a low-risk move that can lead to an extension, or they just wash their hands and move on.
When it comes to an extension, Spotrac's Keith Smith projected that Jaquez would sign a four-year $78 million deal. This would be a good value deal for a player who really kicked on after a slight slump in his sophomore season. The only question the Bucks have to ask is what role do they see Jaquez having on their roster?
If they do see him as their long-term sixth man, then is paying close to $20 million annually too much? Or is there the possibility he can nail down that starting spot at the three?
With the Bucks not having to manage their finances like the Heat now do, an extension seems on the cards, and Jaquez can grow with the team in this new era. It is a decision that has to be made, but the only way he gets traded without an extension is if the front office feels someone will pay well over the odds to acquire him.
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