The Milwaukee Bucks’ depth chart looks completely different after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, and it proves Jon Horst is valuing depth. They took a package centered on multiple players and draft capital over a star return. The pieces around the Greek Freak have been a problem in recent years. Depth is more important than ever in the NBA's second apron era, and the Bucks are leaning into that philosophy.
The roster is still in flux. Milwaukee has 15 players under contract, but must decide between playing the veterans to avoid the new relegation zone under the revamped lottery rules or lean fully into developing the young talent. It is too soon to know which way new head coach Taylor Jenkins will go, but the Bucks have options.
Let’s go position by position to sort out the roster and where things stand as the dust begins to settle on the NBA offseason. There is still the massive LeBron James domino to fall, but it shouldn’t impact the Bucks too much.
Point guard
Early projection: Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis
This feels like a true battle for the starting job entering training camp. KPJ was the opening night starter last year before suffering an ankle injury in the first half of game one. That was the start of a lost season. Porter Jr. played just 38 games and opened the door for Rollins.
The 24-year-old had a breakout season where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over 72 games. Rollins shot 47.2 percent from the field and over 40 percent of his 3-point attempts. His superior defense gives him the early edge to start next to Milwaukee’s new All-Star guard.
The Bucks demanded Jakucionis in the Giannis trade. The 20-year-old is loaded with potential and shot 42.3 percent from long range as a rookie. Cracking the rotation won’t be easy with Milwaukee’s depth, but the 6’5 guard is someone the Bucks want to develop.
Shooting guard
Early projection: Tyler Herro, Caris LeVert, Brayden Burries
Herro was the marquee name the Bucks received in the Giannis trade. The proven 20-point-per-game scorer was an All-Star in 2025. He returns home to Milwaukee in the middle of his prime and has something to prove after the Heat dumped him.
The Caris LeVert trade was a bit baffling for Milwaukee. They didn’t need another guard, especially a score-first option. The Bucks did get two second-round draft picks and cash, but LeVert blocks the 10th overall draft pick from getting consistent minutes.
Milwaukee will give Burries a chance to earn a starting role, but the versatile weapon is just 6’4. They have a glut of guard options and may need to play the rookie a bit more on the wing. The Bucks just have to be careful not to damage his confidence. Burries is a sharpshooter with a high ceiling. He will need minutes to grow his game. Expect the rookie to keep playing more as the season wears on.
Small forward
Early projection: AJ Green, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
This is the one position where the depth is thin. Green started 68 of the 78 games he played in last season for the Bucks, and Jaquez Jr. opened just one contest for the Heat. Green is a sharpshooter that gives the starting group some needed floor spacing. Jaquez is the better player, but he may be comfortable vying for Sixth Man of the Year again after finishing second in 2026.
The Bucks need a 6’6 to 6’9 option here to round things out. Green and Jaquez Jr. can handle the minutes, but the power forward spot is in question. If Milwaukee doesn’t want to rely too heavily on the rookies, they must find a forward upgrade.
Power forward
Early projection: Kyle Kuzma, Nate Ament, Bogoljub Markovic, Pete Nance
The Bucks should start the rookie from day one. Ament was an outstanding first draft pick that came from the Giannis trade. He is a 6’10 forward with length, size, and versatility. There will be growing pains, but Ament is a key piece of the franchise’s future. It's best to get the struggles out of the way now, so Milwaukee is ready to contend in a few years.
Kuzma likely starts on opening night if he’s still on the roster. He is a veteran and proven scorer. Bucks fans know he is not the long-term option. Don’t be surprised to see the 30-year-old’s minutes decrease throughout the season. Kuz is in the final year of his contract, and the Bucks would love to move on. It is all about finding the right trade.
Markovic is a player to watch. The 2025 second-round draft pick averaged 18.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block in 31.8 minutes per game for KK Mega Bemax last season. He is a plus shooter at 20 years old, but will need time to adapt to the NBA.
Nance just signed a two-year non-guaranteed contract to return to the Bucks. He will be fighting for a roster spot in training camp.
Center
Early projection: Myles Turner, Kel’el Ware, Jericho Sims
Turner hasn’t come off the bench since 2018, but Ware is the future of this position for Milwaukee. The veteran is entering the second season of a disastrous four-year, $108.8 million contract. The Bucks have to play him if they want any hope of trading him, but Turner’s decline was on full display in his first season in Milwaukee.
Ware is an exciting young big man who is still trying to round out his game. There are moments of inconsistency, but the 22-year-old can protect the rim, rebound, and catch lobs. He will provide exciting moments and leave fans scratching their heads in others. Ware needs reps to keep growing his game. Expect him to become the starter at some point this season, even if the Bucks give Turner the keys early in the season.
Sims is a solid third big man that will be useful when foul trouble or injuries open the door for him.
The Milwaukee Bucks have depth and an abundance of young talent to start their retool. Credit to Jon Horst and the front office for learning from their recent mistakes in building around Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak always wanted the franchise to make a splash, but they needed depth in this new era. Now, they have it.
The search for a new superstar to lead their roster begins. That is the toughest part. Luckily, the Bucks are no strangers to figuring it out.
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