The Milwaukee Bucks have moved on from the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and there’s no pretending anyone can fill that space.
No player can. Antetokounmpo was the kind of superstar who defined a franchise, delivered a title and became the best player the Bucks have ever had. He’s now with the Miami Heat, and Milwaukee is left sorting through what comes next.
One answer, at least for now, is Ousmane Dieng.
On Tuesday, the Bucks locked up Dieng on a new three-year deal, signaling that he’s part of their longer-term plan. He’s not being asked to be Giannis. He’s being asked to help shape whatever the Bucks become next.
Dieng brings real intrigue. The 6-foot-9 wing from France was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, though he was sent straight to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Talent has never been the question. The issue has been turning that talent into steady production.
That started to happen in Milwaukee after the Thunder dealt him there midway through last season.
Dieng appeared in 30 games and started 20 of them, averaging 26.8 minutes a night. His shooting numbers were modest - 42.3% from the field and 33.1% from 3 - but those came while he was handling a bigger role. The more eye-catching part was everything else he brought: 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, plus 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks.
He’s a long, versatile athlete who can affect the game in a bunch of different ways. Not on Giannis’ level, of course, but in the shape of the modern NBA wing, Dieng makes sense. And with Milwaukee looking to figure out its identity for the future, he’s going to get plenty of chances to show he can be part of it.
In Other News...
The Bucks May Not Be Done Saying Goodbye Yet
With the roster already shifting into a younger phase, Milwaukees next moves are starting to look less like tweaks and more like a full reshaping of what comes next. The Bucks have several veterans who could still matter on a contender, but they also have reasons to chase assets and cap flexibility as they sort out the long view of the post-Giannis era.
Tyler Herro, Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner all sit in that awkward middle ground between useful player and possible trade chip, which makes the winter ahead worth watching closely. Herros contract situation and Kuzmas expiring deal give the Bucks different kinds of leverage, while Turners name carries enough value that any serious market would likely draw attention fast, especially with at least one rival already linked to Herro. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks May Be Ready To Make A Risky Gary Trent Bet
Gary Trent Jr. has positioned himself for a bigger payday, declining his $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and opening the door for Milwaukee to try to keep one of its more useful outside threats around longer term. The Bucks have reportedly gained traction in talks with Trent, and the conversations make sense given how the roster is being shaped heading into the next phase of the cap era.
What makes this one worth watching is the balance between reward and risk. Trent already took discounts on his earlier Bucks deals, so there is a real sense that Milwaukee may have to step up to keep him satisfied, especially with Early Bird rights in play. The question now is whether the sides can turn that momentum into a finished agreement, or whether the Bucks are testing just how far they are willing to go to keep a familiar fit in place. [Read more 🡒]