Now that veteran forward Taurean Prince has exercised his 2026-27 option, the Milwaukee Bucks can welcome him back with a clear role in mind. The roster looks a lot different than it did just a week ago. The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo trade haul from the Miami Heat brought back multiple young players, including forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.Â
Milwaukee also remains interested in retaining Ousmane Dieng despite declining to make him a qualifying offer in restricted free agency. And Nate Ament was the team's selection with the 13th overall pick in the draft. Prince may not see a lot of playing time on a rebuilding roster, but he'll have an important role mentoring the Bucks' young forwards.
Prince has valuable role to play on young Bucks roster
In many ways, the Bucks could ask Prince to assume the responsibilities formerly held by Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis' brother, who is now a free agent. Whatever Thanasis wasn't able to provide in the box score, he did serve a purpose on the roster.Â
Of course, even at 32, coming off a season largely lost to neck surgery, Prince should be able to contribute more on the court than Thanasis did, assuming it's needed. He showed that much in his return late last year.
But he will also be tasked with mentoring his young teammates, particularly Jaquez, Ament, and potentially Dieng, coaching them in the ways of the league on and off the hardwood. With the influx of youth on the Bucks' roster, having Prince around could be more beneficial than ever as one of the team's few remaining veterans.Â
That group is surprisingly thin. Gary Trent Jr. has officially declined his own player option and will likely go elsewhere. Bobby Portis accompanied Giannis to Miami. Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma remain on the roster for now, but both are trade candidates.
That leaves Gary Harris and Prince as the Bucks' main resident veterans. With Thanasis gone, Prince becomes Milwaukee's oldest player. His two years with the team also make him one of its longest-tenured members.
Bucks need mentors for their young prospects
Along with Harris, Turner, and Kuzma, Prince is one of only four Bucks players over 30. Ament is 19 and still very raw as a prospect. Dieng is 23. Jaquez is 25, transplanted into an unfamiliar environment very different from Miami, where he spent his first three seasons, or UCLA, where he played in college.Â
Prince has been around the block a good bit in his career, donning six jerseys in 10 seasons. He knows what it's like to start and to come off the bench. He is well-versed in playing his role.
He can also offer valuable perspective on taking adversity one day at a time, after suffering what he thought might be a career-ending injury last season.
Playing their respective roles to the best of their abilities is a good mindset for Bucks youngsters like Ament to have. Ament may not see much playing time early in the year. Having Prince there beside him with a decade of NBA experience and wisdom - if nothing else, he can demonstrate what it takes to be a pro - is a benefit Milwaukee should suddenly find quite useful.
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