The Milwaukee Bucks are starting the next era of their franchise after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.
It won’t be easy to move on from the Greek Freak, but the introduction of head coach Taylor Jenkins and development of rookie guard Brayden Burries should have Bucks fans intrigued—if not outright excited—going into the 2026-27 season.
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“There are sources of hope: Taylor Jenkins was a smart hire to replace Doc Rivers as coach, and Brayden Burries, the Bucks’ other lottery pick, was one of the top performers in Las Vegas. Even so, Milwaukee appears headed for a very long and difficult turnaround,” ESPN contributor Ben Golliver wrote.
As head coach, Jenkins will be thrown into the spotlight early. After a year off following his six-year tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jenkins has the tough task of rebuilding the Bucks, but his experience should hold him in good stead. He will be given a lot of leeway—he’s signed for six years after all—but as long as he builds the right habits with his squad, there will be hope to hold onto. History says that won’t be a problem.
As for Burries, he is the first draft pick of the new era—and the Bucks’ highest pick since Thon Maker in 2016. He doesn’t have to be Superman right away, but his showing at the Las Vegas Summer League gave fans someone to really get excited about. Burries is a symbol for the future, so if he plays up to expectations, it will give the fanbase reason to tune in.
While Jenkins and Burries will undoubtedly be the key cogs in the long-term rebuild of this Bucks machine, they aren’t the only pivotal parts. There are other pieces to be excited about, too, like fellow rookie Nate Ament and the young players acquired in the trade for Antetokounmpo: Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Brew Hoop community, what are your expectations for Jenkins and Burries going into the year? Let us know in the comments.
