The Milwaukee Bucks hired Taylor Jenkins in April, and his first significant test will be figuring out how to maximize Brayden Burries' growth with so many guards on their roster. Burries looked special during summer league, where he averaged 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 24.9 minutes per game. The 20-year-old is the future for Milwaukee with Giannis gone, but finding the rookie minutes and on-ball reps won’t be easy.
The Bucks acquired Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez, and Kasparas Jakucionis in the Antetokounmpo trade. They have Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr. coming back along with trading for Caris LeVert. Coach Jenkins can’t play everyone, and he can’t risk stunting Burries development. It will force some difficult decisions.
Jenkins has been here before. He joined the Grizzlies before Ja Morant's rookie year, and took Memphis from rebuilding to the playoffs in his six years in charge. Jenkins can use what he learned to help make these decisions. The Bucks will certainly be watching closely how the head coach chooses to develop the team’s new marquee young talent.
Taylor Jenkins must decide how to maximize Brayden Burries despite Bucks’ backcourt logjam
The 20-year-old is a special talent. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t happy that Burries didn’t fall to Golden State at 11. The Bucks grabbed him tenth and will be eager to maximize his ceiling.
This is just the start of a rebuild, but Burries could be special. Jon Horst’s track record in the draft is a problem that he's looking to correct. 2026 was a strong start as the Bucks selected two high-upside players in a loaded draft class. It will only stay positive if Milwaukee develops Burries and Nate Ament.
This is on Jenkins. He must put his young talent in positions to get minutes, grow their game, and succeed. Burries may struggle on the ball as a rookie, but improving those talents could be massive as he reaches his prime.
Coach Jenkins must remember what got him here. The Grizzlies were always good at developing talent and finding ways to win. There was always talk of Memphis needing more shooting, but the Grizzlies believed in their guys.
Jenkins must play Burries over several veterans and maximize his development. The Bucks paid Trent Jr. and took the Heat’s package for Giannis over a Celtics offer that featured Jaylen Brown. The front office created this mess and left Jenkins to sort it out.
The depth could help. It should force Burries to earn minutes and give coach Jenkins multiple options to turn to in a teaching moment. The Bucks have to prioritize his development, though. They can’t worry about chasing every win or letting the best player right now get the minutes. They need Burries to become a star. That will only happen with on-ball reps and plenty of leeway to make mistakes.
Taylor Jenkins took over a rebuilding franchise. He knew that developing talent would be the most important part of his duties. Brayden Burries is the first top ten draft pick Milwaukee has made since 2016. They were a contender with Giannis, but the Greek Freak is gone.
The Bucks' path to a new star is drafting and developing. It could be Burries if Jenkins passes his first major test in Milwaukee. Hopefully, the head coach nails it.
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