After news of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade broke late Monday night, the spotlight was cast firmly on the Miami Heat, which is set to become the new home of the two-time MVP next season. Meanwhile, the team that Antetokounmpo left behind also has a fascinating future ahead of them.
In this Heat-Bucks trade, Antetokounmpo and his longtime teammate Bobby Portis headed to South Beach in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, along with a stash of draft assets that are also Milwaukee-bound. How, then, would the Bucks’ depth chart look like in this post-Antetokounmpo future?
As presently constructed, the Bucks could field a starting backcourt of Herro and vastly improved guard Ryan Rollins, along with Jaquez and the veteran duo of Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner. Bucks beat reporter Pat Timlin suggested a slightly different version of this starting lineup, fielding Ousmane Dieng instead and moving Jaquez to the bench.
It’s possible, of course, that Jaquez will join Ware and Jakucionis in the reserve unit, along with rotation players last season like Kevin Porter Jr. and AJ Green.
Early on in the 2026-27 season, the Bucks will likely struggle to find their identity, as they’ve been Antetokounmpo-centric for so long. This would be an opportunity for someone like Herro, a Wisconsin native, to step up his game and become a main man for the first time ever.
Why Did Bucks Choose Heat’s Offer Over Celtics’ Package? Latest on Bucks Winning Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes
In the days leading up to the Antetokounmpo trade, the Heat were locked in a fierce battle with the Boston Celtics to acquire the Greek Freak.
According to insider Kevin O’Connor, the Bucks’ owner had his reasons for choosing Miami over Boston.
“Sources say Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam was a driving force in taking the Heat deal for Giannis over Boston’s offer. Haslam didn’t want to risk Jaylen Brown wanting out of Milwaukee in a year after dealing with Giannis and Myles Garrett trade demands. Haslam wanted certainty, and the Miami deal provided more of that with more total assets in return to Milwaukee.”
With Antetokounmpo out of the picture, Haslam and his braintrust will have to start anew as the Bucks write the next chapter of their franchise’s history.
READ MORE:
Miami Heat Updated Depth Chart After Blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
Kyle Kuzma Shares Cryptic Post As Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Intensify
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