The Milwaukee Bucks just ripped the bandage off. Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone. They drafted Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. And now the franchise has to figure out what comes next without bottoming out completely.
There is a real temptation here to just tank. But the Bucks don’t own their own first-round pick next season, so losing on purpose doesn’t actually help them. What helps is staying functional, keeping the young guys in a competitive environment, and adding veterans who fit without wrecking the cap sheet for years.
Cameron Johnson is the obvious trade target
Johnson isn’t a star. He doesn’t need to be. What he gives Milwaukee is shooting, smart defense, and a contract that expires after this season at $23 million. That last part matters a lot for a team that needs flexibility going forward.
Last season with Denver he averaged 12.2 points and shot 43 percent from three. That kind of floor spacing would open up driving lanes for Burries and Ament and make life easier for whoever ends up handling the ball. The Bucks have bodies at guard and center, but the wing rotation is thin. Jaquez can play some small forward but he’s better at the four. Ament is a rookie learning on the fly.
If Denver is willing to move Johnson and maybe even attach a pick to clear his salary, Milwaukee should jump. Taking on a useful vet on an expiring deal while collecting an asset is exactly the kind of low-risk move a rebuilding team should chase.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is the backup plan in free agency
If a trade for Johnson falls through, Oubre makes sense as a free agent signing. He’s not the same level of shooter but he brings energy, length, and transition scoring. For a young team that will go through rough stretches, having a veteran who can create his own shot on broken possessions has real value.
Oubre’s shot selection can be frustrating and he’s not as clean a fit as Johnson. But in free agency, the Bucks aren’t going to find many wings with his size and scoring ability at a reasonable price.
Why not just go young and lose a bunch
Some fan bases would prefer the full tear-down. But Burries and Ament need to learn how to play winning basketball, not just accumulate stats on a bad team. The Bucks don’t have to be contenders this year. They just have to be functional. That means competent lineups, veterans who know where to be, and enough wing depth to stay organized.
Johnson helps with all of that. He can start, move off the ball, and provide a steadying presence between the young perimeter guys and the veteran frontcourt. He raises the floor without raising the long-term risk.
For a franchise trying to turn the page after losing a superstar, that balance is everything.
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