Bucks Off-Season, Big Questions and Big Decisions

NBA Bucks Off-Season, Big Questions and Big Decisions

By Nemanja Milosavljević

September 9, 2026 • 12:02 PM EDT

Updated 2 hours ago

Bucks Off-Season, Big Questions and Big Decisions

Grab a seat, because Jack and Zac aren’t about to sugarcoat what’s happening with the Bucks this off-season. In part two of their back-and-forth, they answer the Brew Hoop community’s sharpest questions: from how Taylor Jenkins stacks up as head coach, to who might break out, which veterans have a future here, and what kind of trades loom when the front office finally stops sitting on its hands. When you’ve got a team this much in flux, straight talk and strong opinions are exactly what you need.

Zac’s quick to point out that ranking Taylor Jenkins is a moving target. Stat geeks will say his career winning percentage lands him right in the washing machine of the NBA’s middle class. Sure, a whole pack of coaches—like Joe Mazzulla, Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra and Rick Carlisle—outshine Jenkins for now, but he’s not scraping the barrel either. The key? Context and potential. And that’s the running theme here: a lot of Bucks names still have something to prove, from the sidelines to the very end of the bench.

According to Yahoo Sports, that uncertainty is everywhere you look in Milwaukee. There’s hot debate about who’ll be the most improved, with Ousmane Dieng drawing hype but not quite the pecking order to own the spotlight. Zac’s eye is on Ryan Rollins, who’s working with James Harden in the off-season and could well take a leap as a 20-point scorer. But even then, it’s about improvement versus just being handed more responsibility. And when it comes to the roster’s veterans—Trent, Green, Kuzma—you can see the balancing act between proving contracts are worth it and making space for kids who might shape the Bucks’ real future.

On the stats front, Jack tosses last year’s numbers right on the bar: 25.8 assists per game, 15.2 turnovers, middle-of-the-pack all around. He expects similar numbers, even though the team’s ball movement should finally look fluid without Giannis. Familiar chaos is bound to return with a new group, but hot hands—like Ryan Rollins in assists, KPJ in turnovers—should rise to the top. It’s a chemistry experiment in real time.

Key developments up front

Taylor Jenkins’ status: likely lands between 6th and 21st among NBA coaches, but with plenty to prove.
Ryan Rollins primed to break out, with strong odds on making a league-wide impression if off-season training pays off.
Veteran roles muddled: Expect Trent to play for contract optics, Green stuck among combo guards, and Kuzma poised for major minutes—unless the roster pivots to youth by the deadline.
Similar assist and turnover numbers expected, but driven by new chemistry rather than last season’s inconsistency.
Bucks’ outsider-friendly coverage offers a sharp, sentimental yet honest view detached from Milwaukee’s local bubble.
Real angst about rookie extensions (Jaime Jaquez Jr.) and Rollins’ looming unrestricted free agency—big contracts likely if they deliver on promise.
Trade rumours swirl, with Herro, Turner, and Kuzma the most likely to move before the next phase of the rebuild kicks in.
Development over wins: Jack and Zac want to see the next wave play, even if it means a rockier road this season.

Veteran logjam and front office choices

Jack doesn’t sugarcoat the Trent situation—a guy with a fat contract has to be played just for optics, eating into minutes for developing kids. AJ Green is the odd man out, and Kuzma probably starts at the four, picking up big minutes and some leadership duties until a likely trade or minute reduction post-deadline. It all points toward a roster in transition, with plenty of frustration about prioritising deals from the last regime over true youth development.

What stats tell you about this new Bucks squad

The numbers won’t lie. Jack predicts those assist and turnover rates might not move much in the raw data, but how they’re generated will change. With Giannis gone, you’ll see more team movement, less isolation, and potentially more classic-possession basketball. Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. are poised to set the table; expect some growing pains with newcomers like Kel’el Ware, who are still finding their professional feet.

Priorities, patience, and where the Bucks go from here

Jack and Zac land on the long game: prioritise development, not just quick wins. That means letting younger guys play through mistakes, collecting data for the next true push, and only keeping vets if they actually provide mentorship or bridge value. Trades will be a persistent hum, with names like Herro, Turner, and Kuzma appearing in every deadline rumour—fitting, since they block brighter young prospects from seizing spotlight minutes.

The Bucks have stockpiled future picks (particularly from the Giannis deal), but replenishing assets could take four to six years. Rushing deals now only repeats the mistakes that got Milwaukee here. Patience, asset stacking, and clever roster cuts (like moving Pete Nance back to a two-way, eating an expiring deal, or waiving LeVert) all shape what’s next.

Key takeaways for Bucks backers

Bucks fans should expect more development minutes for kids over guaranteed wins next year, if the front office chooses wisely.
Rollins could take a star leap, but watch for contract drama if he breaks out.
Taylor Jenkins still has plenty to prove. He’s above the true unknowns but not in the top tier—yet.
Veteran logjam means trades are coming. Herro, Turner, and Kuzma block younger, high-upside talent and won’t fit the next contending window.
Contract optics mean Trent will get early minutes even if they hurt development.
Expect a similar pace of ball movement and turnover chaos in the stats, but a different flavour with new faces on the floor.
Bucks are playing the long game—return to true contention is a 4-6 year rebuild with patience and savvy asset management required.
Your off-season angst is valid: this front office has left real puzzles to solve, both for the locker room and for bettors trying to gauge value futures.

More coverage: latest NBA news, our NBA betting analysis and NBA expert picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Taylor Jenkins likely falls between the 6th and 21st best current NBA head coaches. While he’s statistically middle-of-the-pack in career winning percentage, the real answer depends on context and his ability to elevate young talent on a rebuilding roster.

Ryan Rollins is tipped to make the biggest leap, aiming for a 20-point average if off-season workouts pay off. Ousmane Dieng and Jaime Jaquez Jr. also have upside but may not get enough opportunity for true breakout status.

Trent is likely to play at least 15 minutes a game for contract optics. AJ Green appears to be the odd man out due to backcourt congestion, while Kuzma is expected to start at the four and lead early, but his minutes could taper after the trade deadline if the Bucks pivot to development.

Expect the Bucks to convert Pete Nance to a two-way contract and possibly waive Caris LeVert. If a trade happens, it’s most likely to involve freeing up the crowded guard spot, particularly with expiring contracts.

The smart play is prioritising development. That means giving minutes to younger players and collecting hard data for the future rather than chasing low-impact wins with veterans. The long-term payoff outweighs short-term satisfaction.

Tyler Herro, Myles Turner, and Kyle Kuzma are the prime candidates for trade, as they don’t fit the Bucks’ new timeline. Their contracts and experience make them appealing to win-now teams, especially near the trade deadline.

Given current assets and future draft pick situations, the Bucks are realistically 4-6 years away from real title contention. It will take patience, asset accumulation, and a focus on long-term development instead of quick fixes.