The Bucks have barely had time to settle into the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, and already another decision is staring them down. New wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. is in the final year of his rookie-scale contract, which means Milwaukee has to weigh a possible extension before he’s even played a game in green.
That’s a tricky spot for any front office, especially with a player who hasn’t taken the floor yet for his new team. But Jaquez brings plenty to like.
He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting and put together a strong season, averaging 15.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 50.7/31.7/76.9. He started just one game in Miami during the 2025-26 season, and Taylor Jenkins may see a similar bench role for him in Milwaukee.
The Bucks’ wing group already includes Nate Ament, Ousmane Dieng, and Taurean Prince, but Jaquez looks like the front-runner in that mix based on what he has shown over his first three NBA seasons. He’s still got room to improve, too. He may never become an All-Star, but he can clearly help fill gaps on both ends of the floor, which gives him real value for Milwaukee going forward.
That value is exactly why the extension question matters. At 25, Jaquez is still young enough to keep growing, and that makes him attractive not just to the Bucks but to other teams as well if Milwaukee ever decides to move him. Expiring contracts often become trade chips for draft capital, or they get flipped in a low-risk move that gives a team another rotation piece and the chance to work out an extension later.
Spotrac’s Keith Smith projected a four-year, $78 million extension for Jaquez. That kind of number would make sense for a player who bounced back after a small sophomore slump and then turned in a strong season. The real issue for Milwaukee is figuring out exactly what role they believe he can own.
If the Bucks view him as their long-term sixth man, is nearly $20 million per year too steep? Or is there a path for him to lock down the starting job at small forward?
Milwaukee doesn’t have to manage its money the way Miami does now, and that makes an extension feel likely. In this new era, Jaquez looks like someone who can grow with the team. The only scenario where he gets dealt without a new contract is if the Bucks believe another club will pay far more than he’s worth to get him.
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Bucks Unveil First Real Signs Of Life After The Giannis Trade
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For a team trying to turn a blockbuster deal into a workable next chapter, even these details matter because they signal the beginning of a new identity. Herros switch to No. 42 stands out most, while Jakucionis keeping No. 25 gives Milwaukee at least one familiar touchpoint as the group settles in. The bigger questions, of course, are still ahead, but the Bucks have at least moved from transaction mode into the part where the roster starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]