Milwaukee Bucks 2026-27 Season Preview: Life After Giannis, Free Agency & Fantasy Outlook

Milwaukee enters 2026-27 without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time since 2012-13, with new coach Taylor Jenkins, Tyler Herro and Kel'el Ware from Miami, and two lottery picks in Brayden Burries and Nate Ament.

This Milwaukee Bucks 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its departures and acquisitions, the Giannis trade to Miami and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and odds, and Bucks fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. After a 32-50 season that snapped nine straight playoff trips and limited Antetokounmpo to 36 games, Milwaukee traded him and Bobby Portis to the Heat in a deal agreed in June and completed on July 6. The return was built around Herro, Jaime Jaquez., Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis plus a pile of draft capital.

Bucks 2026-27 Season at a Glance

Milwaukee's win total is among the lowest in the East, and for the first time in a decade, the Bucks enter a season without playoff expectations.

2026 NBA Draft: Bucks' Picks and Fits

The Bucks used their own lottery pick and the No. 13 selection acquired from Miami in the Antetokounmpo trade on a guard and a forward.

Milwaukee also acquired unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round swap, and a 2033 second-round pick from Miami.

Key Free Agent Departures

The departures were the franchise's most important player and several members of his circle:

Milwaukee does not own first-round picks in 2027 or 2029, so the 2031 and 2033 picks from Miami are central to its rebuild.

Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings

Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup

Milwaukee turned an unsustainable situation into clarity by moving Antetokounmpo for three first-round picks, Herro, and three young players, ending a saga that began when he and his agent approached the team about a trade at least twice. Taylor Jenkins, hired to build culture and develop players, inherits two rosters in one: holdover veterans such as Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Gary Trent, and the new Miami players. With up to 12 players with a case for minutes, the front office has to decide how much to play the young guards.

Projected Starters

Bench Rotation

• Backcourt: Kevin Porter, Brayden Burries, Kasparas Jakucionis, Caris LeVert
• Wing: Gary Trent, AJ Green
• Frontcourt: Kel'el Ware, Nate Ament, Ousmane Dieng, Jericho Sims

Turner and Kuzma were both reported as available in June, and a trade of either would hand more minutes to Ware.

Bucks Biggest Fantasy Questions

Can Tyler Herro Stay Healthy and Be the Main Scorer?

Herro played only 33 games last season after foot surgery but has averaged more than 20 points in each of the last five seasons. With Giannis gone, he should see the highest usage of his career.

Does Kel'el Ware Take Over the Center Job?

Ware has a clear path to minutes with only Turner and Kuzma ahead of him, and he improved his three-point shooting to 39.5%. If Turner is traded, Ware becomes a top fantasy target for blocks and rebounds.

How Does Ryan Rollins' Breakout Hold Up With a Deep Guard Group?

Rollins averaged 17.3 points in 74 games and is already being talked about as a leap candidate, but he now shares the backcourt with Herro, Porter Jr., Burries, and Jakucionis.

Bucks Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know

Four Bucks fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with a deep and young rotation as the dominant storyline.

Tyler Herro Fantasy Outlook

• 2026-27 ADP: 63.5
• Position: PG/SG
• 2025-26 Stats: Played 33 games after foot surgery; 20-plus PPG in each of the last five seasons
• Fantasy Outlook: Primary scorer with injury risk
• What to Watch: Health and shot volume

Herro is the closest thing to a proven scorer on the roster. If he stays healthy, his points, threes, and assists should exceed his ADP.

Myles Turner Fantasy Outlook

• 2026-27 ADP: 85.0
• Position: C
• 2025-26 Stats: 11.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 38.3 3P%
• Fantasy Outlook: Elite blocks and threes from a center
• What to Watch: Trade rumors and his role next to Ware

Turner had one of his worst seasons but still shot 38.3% from three and blocked 1.6 shots per game. A trade to a contender could change his minutes.

Ryan Rollins Fantasy Outlook

• 2026-27 ADP: 95.5
• Position: PG/SG
• 2025-26 Stats: 17.3 PPG (74 games)
• Fantasy Outlook: Starting guard with upside
• What to Watch: Competition from Herro and the rookies

Rollins is projected to start and has the most guaranteed minutes among the young guards. His production could rise if Milwaukee commits to development.

Kel'el Ware Fantasy Outlook

• 2026-27 ADP: 101.0
• Position: C
• 2025-26 Stats: Shot 39.5% from three on about three attempts per game
• Fantasy Outlook: Second-year big with real upside
• What to Watch: Minutes behind Turner and Kuzma

Ware is a seven-footer with a developing three-point shot and a clearer path to minutes than he had in Miami. Blocks, rebounds, and field-goal percentage are his best categories.

Bucks Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts

Bucks Fantasy Sleeper

Jaime Jaquez.: Jaquez averaged 15.4 points and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and he is projected to start with his new team. At an ADP of 142.0, he offers a useful mix of points, rebounds, and steals. He averaged career highs in basically every category last year and only started one game. His minutes should trend up towards 30 per night and could once again set career marks on a rebuilding team.

Bucks Fantasy Breakout Candidate

Kel'el Ware: With how bad Myles Turner’s 2025-’26 campaign was, there’s an opening for Kel’el Ware to swoop in and steal the starting job, especially with the Bucks in a rebuild post Giannis Antetokounmpo era. Ware is a monster per-36-minute producer as he averaged 18 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 1.8 BPG, and 1.2 SPG last year.

Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.