The Milwaukee Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Giannis seemed ready for a split at times in a turbulent year. However, call me crazy, but there is a conceivable path forward for a quick postseason return.
It all starts with two imperatives in the offseason, and the Bucks have already crossed one of them off the list. The Bucks are finalizing a deal for a new head coach, and he’s one of the best on the market: Taylor Jenkins. The other key item the Bucks have to address is convincing Giannis they’re still committed to winning. While that isn’t all that’s needed for things to turn around, for the Bucks, it starts there.
Getting younger and more athletic on the wings and perimeter is also paramount.
The Bucks have a chance to do some of that in the NBA Draft, since they’ll be bringing in a top-level young talent with the franchise’s earliest pick since the last time the Bucks missed the postseason.
In a league where seemingly every team has tall, long, three-and-D wings, the Bucks didn’t have one until the NBA Trade Deadline acquisition of Ousmane Dieng. That’s a step in the right direction, as Dieng showed promise down the stretch of the season, but they need to trade expiring Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis for better roster construction and get some taller, longer perimeter wings on the squad.
The Bucks’ New Head Coach
When the horn sounded on the regular season finale, news immediately broke that Doc Rivers would not return as the Bucks’ coach. Rivers was a disaster in Milwaukee, inheriting a team with Giannis and Dame Lillard and rendering it an under .500 team in his tenure as Bucks coach.
The Bucks are finalizing a deal with Jenkins to become the team’s next coach. There was smoke around Jenkins for a while, to Milwaukee, as the former Grizzlies head coach has Milwaukee ties.
Jenkins was an assistant under Mike Budenholzer for a season in Milwaukee (2018-19). While some may think the Bucks may have rushed the hire, it’s clear they coveted him. Jenkins, despite being fired in Memphis, proved he could elevate a roster as the Grizzlies won 48 games the season he was fired.
Giannis Could Remain in Milwaukee
The Giannis quotes that constantly circulate on social media can make it seem like he wants out. But there are also quotes (not used by Shams, ha!), indicating he is open to staying in Milwaukee if they are serious about contending. General Manager Jon Horst has pulled off huge moves in the past, and he’s done so without people on the outside thinking there was a chance to do so.
He wasn’t supposed to have enough assets to acquire Jrue Holiday or Dame Lillard, but both made their way to Milwaukee. He also has shown a willingness to think outside the box with the waive-and-stretch of Lillard and signing Myles Turner.
It hasn’t all worked out, but Horst has taken big swings, and we can’t rule out him doing it again.
Horst will have more financial flexibility this season than he has in the past, meaning that making a quick turnaround is not out of the realm of possibility.
While it all hinges on Giannis returning to Milwaukee, there is a route to making The Deer feared once again.
Who Is Staying?
Elevating the roster is extremely important, but choosing who sticks around is too. If the Bucks want to hold on to Giannis and see if he in fact would refuse a four-year, $275-million extension, who will they keep around him?
That list is likely: Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Ousmane Dieng (restricted), Pete Nance, Cormac Ryan, and Myles Turner. The emergence of Ryan Rollins could be massive for the future of the Bucks, who found a strong core guard they can utilize. Rollins looked like far more than just a rotational player this year. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists and connected on over 40% from three in a steep production jump which saw him finish fifth in MIP voting.
It will be interesting to see who exercises player options and who elect free agency. The list of players who have player-options are: Jericho Sims, Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, Gary Harris and Gary Trent Jr.
Hit on Possible Top-10 Pick
The Bucks are likely to have its earliest pick in a decade since selecting Thon Maker No. 10 overall in 2016.
The Bucks can theoretically get as high as the No. 2 pick. But let’s just say they get the 10th pick, which they have a 165.9% chance of landing. The Bucks can still get a very good player ready to contribute right away, something the Bucks desperately need.
There is a desperate need for an infusion of young, athletic talent on the roster. Among the players who could be there at No. 10, Labaron Philon Jr. is a name to watch for the Bucks.
The Bucks need a steady presence at point guard, which is why Philon makes a lot of sense. He scored 20+ points in six of the final seven games for Alabama, and in the lone game he didn’t score 20 points, he had 12 assists.
On the season, Philon Jr. averaged 22 points and five assists per game and shot over 50% from the field, hitting 39% from three. Philon blends the ability to score with being a good passer, a diversity that could separate him from many names at No. 10.
Trade Portis and Kuzma
The Bucks need three-and-D wings badly. Snagging Dieng at the NBA Trade Deadline was an under-the-radar move. He is a restricted free agent and needs to be re-signed.
By trading Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma (expiring contract) Horst can create better roster cohesion for the Bucks and perhaps acquire some three-and-D type players they seem to be the only team without.
Some potential Portis moves include:
- Portis to Charlotte for Josh Green/2nd round pick
- Portis for Dalton Knecht/Jarred Vanderbilt from the Lakers
- Wendell Carter/Tristan da Silva from the Magic
Kuzma could be an easily-moved guy now that he is on an expiring deal. The first call should be to Dallas to see if they want to offload some future money and free up cash to surround Cooper Flagg with talent. Kuzma for Daniel Gafford/Naji Marshall would be a top return.
Other options would be attaching a future first for Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey from New Orleans. Sending Kuzma to a team looking to acquire expiring contracts in Brooklyn where the Bucks could get Terance Mann/Day’Ron Sharpe back. If no one bites, Malik Monk from Sacramento could be a fallback.
Sign Free Agents with MLE/BAE
The Bucks were able to get out of cap hell by trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. The move got the Bucks under the second apron. Now the Bucks are in a slightly better spot. The front office has funds available to acquire a free agent with more than just a minimum deal.
The Bucks have both the mid-level ($15 million) and bi-annual ($5.478 million) exceptions available to them this offseason. A top target for the Bucks at the MLE should be Rui Hachimura, who would be another plus-shooter to put around Giannis, this time with a bit more size.
Bucks Can Turn Things Around Quickly
Giannis has said he’s open to remaining in Milwaukee, despite the constant rumors. If Giannis were to turn down a four-year, $275 million extension from the Bucks, it’d be a first in the NBA. While winning just 30 games this season came make it seem like the Bucks are miles away from being a solid team, that’s simply untrue.
Having a new coach alone should help things as the Doc Rivers experience was painful. Jenkins had a strong run in Memphis and should be an improvement over Rivers. Horst has shown he’s adept at making shrewd moves and getting some size on the wings will be critical to surrounding Giannis with more talent and versatile players.
The disappointing 2025-26 season was a bummer, but there is a path for a quick return to the postseason for the Milwaukee Bucks.
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