Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone, shifting the spotlight onto other Milwaukee Bucks for the first time in a long time. With attention comes pressure. Some players embrace it, while others crumble at the thought. The Bucks hope their players take the first stance and prove something next season. With that, here are a few players with something to showcase.
Tyler Herro
The hometown guard is about to embark on a journey as a first option. Plenty of people think he's not capable of such a role and that the Milwaukee Bucks are doomed. It's up to Herro to silence them and put together his best season yet. With contract talks lingering, putting the doubt to rest could do the guard a lot of favors as he looks to plant his feet for the next several years.
Myles Turner
Milwaukee's decision to cut Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner in an effort to save the Giannis era has backfired mightily to this point. However, the story is not over. With a fresh head coach in Taylor Jenkins and a retooled supporting cast, Turner could potentially bounce back. He has all of the tools to be a two-way stalwart in this league. Until he proves it, though, that big contract won't look pretty.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Rather than extend him now, the Milwaukee Bucks appear poised to talk with Jaime Jaquez Jr. about a contract extension next summer. With a lucrative raise hanging in the balance, Jaquez needs to be the best version of himself in 2026-27. If he can build off his career year, which is possible as a fresh start as Milwaukee's starting small forward lingers, the forward can be a long-term building block.
Kyle Kuzma
Sticking with the theme of future contracts, Kyle Kuzma is also due for a new deal next summer. Yet, he'll have to earn it after what has been a turbulent few years in Milwaukee. Like Jaquez, it looks like a starting role awaits him, which will be huge as he looks to prove that he can still be a contributor on a team looking to win games. The forward has been criticized for years, and it's time to fight back.
Gary Trent Jr.
Imagine getting a raise at work and the rest of the higher-ups think it's so puzzling that they open an investigation into it. That's exactly what happened with Gary Trent Jr., as the NBA aims to determine whether or not there was any wrongdoing in the guard's $64 million extension. If Trent reverts to his Toronto form and has a bounce-back year, he will send a rousing message to everyone.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google