Milwaukee Bucks' Biggest Offseason Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

The Milwaukee Bucks have many needs, though the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo must be settled before the team makes this selection.

"I just think before the draft is a natural time, right? Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, then we ought to get a lot of assets and it's Jon's job to do it," Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters. "If he's here, then you build the team differently."

Haslam is right. Milwaukee shouldn't go out and draft a power forward if Antetokounmpo intends to sign an extension to stay. Their biggest area of need is on the wing, especially if Kevin Porter Jr. turns down a player option to hit free agency.

Antetokounmpo, Ryan Rollins and Myles Turner are all locked in as starters. This No. 10 pick could be, too, if the right wing player is available.

2025-26 Record: 32-50

Draft Pick: 10

A Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

The other side of that coin, of course, is the Milwaukee Bucks, and they should be very eager to put an end to this Giannis Antetokounmpo saga.

Yes, he gave the city and organization a title and countless good memories, but the last couple of years have been a slog of "will he or won't he" trade rumors and drama that Giannis, frankly, brought on himself.

No more vague quotes hinting at a desire to play elsewhere. No more pressure on the front office to make win-now moves that cripple the future.

There will certainly be some pain in finally trading Giannis, but there will also be relief.

Draft Picks

Teams in Milwaukee's position typically want some combination of a good player, promising prospects and/or multiple draft picks when giving up a frustrated superstar.

The Bucks should prioritize the last item on that list. They need a fresh start, and incoming rookies (or the ability to add picks to trades) help on that front more than Herro or Jaquez will.

Both are solid, but neither looks like a surefire franchise cornerstone. Milwaukee needs to give itself as many chances as possible to find that in the draft.

Other Veteran Trades

Assuming they're not a part of the Giannis deal, the Bucks should probably also be looking to unload Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis and A.J. Green.

Bottoming out may not be quite as enticing as it was before the NBA instituted new anti-tanking measures, but Milwaukee should still be interested in getting its young guys as many developmental minutes as possible and ensuring its somewhere in the lottery.