Jaime Jaquez Jr. is about to get the kind of runway that can settle a front-office debate fast.
The Milwaukee Bucks had interest in Peyton Watson this summer and, according to The Denver Post's Bennett Durando, even floated Jaquez Jr. in a possible sign-and-trade. But that discussion never moved beyond the conceptual stage. Milwaukee passed on pushing harder, and now Jaquez has a real chance to make that decision look smart.
That starts with opportunity. Unless something changes late, Jaquez looks positioned to claim one of the starting forward spots.
The Bucks are also bringing in plenty of capable table-setters, with Ryan Rollins, Kasparas Jakucionis, Kevin Porter Jr., and others able to find him in rhythm. That matters for a player who can create his own shot and should have more clean chances than he did in Miami.
And the scoring ceiling is there. Jaquez is coming off a season in which he came off the bench, and a big leap could easily push him past that career high.
But he is not just a scorer. He can pass.
He can rebound. Milwaukee should have every reason to test the full package as it takes a close look at what it has in him.
The Bucks are also operating with a different kind of urgency here than they would have with Watson. A trade for Watson would have brought the possibility of a new deal and a more defined future.
Jaquez does not have that security. He’ll be a free agent next summer, which means this season is about more than production - it’s about his next contract, too.
That leaves Milwaukee with a straightforward choice down the line: keep him as part of the core or decide to move on. For now, the Bucks are giving him the chance to force their hand. If he produces and helps them make a little more noise than expected, bringing him back next summer would make plenty of sense.
But if Jaquez stalls and Watson thrives in Cleveland, the Bucks could wind up wishing they had gone after Watson with more force this summer.
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Bucks Patience Could Create A Quiet Roster Opportunity
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That patience fits the way Milwaukee has used these spots in the past, with a track record of developing two-way players into useful pieces. The team may be inclined to wait until after camp to see which players shake loose elsewhere, especially if the eventual target is a forward who can add some depth and give the Bucks another low-cost developmental swing. [Read more 🡒]
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That is where Milwaukee can keep an eye on the situation. The Bucks still have one open two-way contract spot, and they have shown they can turn that type of roster flier into something more useful. If Knecht becomes available, he would fit the profile of a late offseason addition worth considering, especially for a team that has made a habit of finding value in the margins. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Face A Tough AJ Green Decision To Unlock Gary Trent Jr
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AJ Green sits at the heart of that dilemma. He is one of the better shooters on the roster and the sort of reliable role player contenders usually like to keep, but that same appeal also makes him one of the easier pieces to move if Milwaukee wants to clear a path for Trent. The Bucks would be weighing short-term rotation stability against the possibility of reshaping the backcourt, with outside interest likely to make that decision even more complicated. [Read more 🡒]