The Milwaukee Bucks have a tough road ahead. Last year’s disastrous season put the team at a crossroads, setting up a parting we’d been dreading for years: franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to the Miami Heat – with fan favorite Bobby Portis to boot. The Greek Freak left Milwaukee after 13 seasons, two MVP awards and a 2021 NBA championship.
Now, the rebuilding team has its eyes on the future. “The Bucks enter the season with more youthful potential than they’ve had in a decade and made a big splash by bringing in the top coach on the market in Taylor Jenkins,” says Justin Garcia, Bucks Radio Network analyst and “Locked on Bucks” podcast host. “He’ll look to get the most with molding this young Bucks foundation.” Plenty of new and returning players make up that foundation. With some insights from Ti Windisch, co-host of the “Gyro Step” podcast, here’s what you should know about them before tip-off.
Celebrate this year’s winners of the Betty Awards!
Taylor Jenkins | Coach
Jenkins is a familiar face to the Bucks. After cutting his teeth in Atlanta as an assistant to head coach Mike Budenholzer, Jenkins joined him in Milwaukee for the 2018-19 season. “[His] pedigree for developing talent and installing a culture based on competition lured him to the Grizzlies, where he turned around a low-30-win team to back-to-back second-place finishes in the West in his first three seasons,” says Garcia. Jenkins’ time in Memphis ended abruptly when he was fired with nine games remaining in the 2024-25 season, despite making the playoffs that year. With a 250-214 record across six seasons, Jenkins has the most games won by a coach in Grizzlies history.
Tyler Herro | Guard
Height: 6’5”
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Age: 26
Last season: 20.5 points per game
Herro’s Milwaukee homecoming headlined the return the Bucks received in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Portis. An All-Star in 2025, Herro has the offensive skill to step right in and lead the Bucks in scoring this season while setting the table up for Milwaukee’s skilled bigs to make dunks and open threes.
Brayden Burries | Guard
Height: 6’4”
Birthplace: San Bernardino, California
Age: 21
Last season: 16.1 points per game (NCAA)
Drafted 10th overall out of Arizona this summer, Brayden Burries might make a name for himself upon joining the Bucks. The tough, polished guard came off a strong showing in Summer League, earning first-team honors in Las Vegas. Burries is a dynamic shooter, can attack the paint both in transition and half-court, and digs in defensively by causing turnovers.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Guard/Forward
Height: 6’6”
Birthplace: Irvine, California
Age: 25
Last season:
31.7% shooting
from 3-point range
The runner-up in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, Jaquez Jr. could become a starting forward upon his move to Milwaukee. He is a well-rounded player with an ability to attack the basket, create shot opportunities for teammates, and add value both defensively and in the rebounding game. The biggest hole in Jaquez Jr.’s game is being able to hit outside shots regularly.
Nate Ament | Forward
Height: 6’10”
Birthplace: Woodbridge, Virginia
Age: 19
Last season: 16.7 points per game (NCAA)
The Bucks see a lot of potential in Nate Ament, their newly drafted (No. 13) forward out of Tennessee. Ament moves well for a tall forward and can hit open threes, attack advantages and be disruptive defensively. But he’ll need work to develop physically and skill-wise to earn playing time and hopefully become a true point forward.
Kel’el Ware | Center
Height: 7’0”
Birthplace: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Age: 22
Last season: 39.5% shooting from
3-point range
Kel’el Ware has the tools to become the next great center for the Bucks. Ware is a true 7-footer whose shooting touch may remind you of former Bucks player Brook Lopez and current Bucks starting center Myles Turner. He pairs that with a strong nose for the ball and an ability to protect the rim, but consistency is Ware’s biggest question mark.
Ryan Rollins | Guard
Height: 6’3”
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Age: 24
Last season: 17.3 points per game
Ryan Rollins was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating season for the Bucks last year, his second full one with the team. He scaled up with his rare combination of rim finishing and pull-up shooting from all areas of the floor. If he maintains his productivity from last year, Rollins could become the Bucks’ next star.
