The Caris LeVert trade gave the Milwaukee Bucks another useful piece, but it didn’t solve the problem sitting right in front of them: there are too many guards on the roster and not enough room for all of them to breathe.
Milwaukee moved on from Gary Harris, then turned around and added LeVert, which leaves the backcourt crowded all over again. Over the next several weeks, that logjam is expected to be one of the main storylines around the Bucks as they sort through possible changes.
Right now, the guard room is packed. The roster includes Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Kevin Porter Jr., Brayden Burries, AJ Green, Kasparas Jakucionis, Cormac Ryan, Kam Jones, and LeVert. Depth is never a bad thing, but that is a lot of players for one area of the floor, and it would make sense if Milwaukee looked to move some pieces to create space.
A trade feels like the most natural next step. The bigger question is who goes.
LeVert is an obvious name to watch. He can bring veteran value to the group, but at 31, he may fit better on a team already built to win now. His expiring contract also makes him easier to move if Milwaukee decides to chase another major deal later this summer.
AJ Green is another player who could draw attention. He gives the Bucks perimeter shooting, but he is also one of the older players on the roster and could be attractive to other teams. Contenders would likely love to add one of the league’s best shooters, and if Milwaukee could land strong draft capital in return, that would be worth serious consideration.
At the same time, the sheer volume of talent gives Milwaukee a real argument that this could be its strongest section of the roster.
Tyler Herro is a former All-Star who wants to get back home. Ryan Rollins brings two-way pressure and has the kind of game that could fit nicely next to Herro.
Kevin Porter Jr. flashed elite upside last season. Brayden Burries has the look of a do-it-all sparkplug who could end up being the steal of a loaded draft class.
Kasparas Jakucionis might even wind up as the best player Milwaukee gets from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, based on pure potential. Green, Ryan, Jones, and LeVert all give the Bucks usable depth, the kind of pieces that can help when called on.
But eventually, the numbers have to get trimmed. At some point, Milwaukee will need to decide which guards stay and which ones get moved out.
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Jakucionis, in particular, drew Horsts praise as a competitive, hard-working young guard with real point guard traits and shooting ability. That kind of language usually says as much about how a team views its future backcourt as it does about one players immediate role, and it hints at why Milwaukee was willing to hold firm in negotiations. The Bucks still have plenty to sort out after landing Giannis replacement era on paper, but the way Horst framed the return suggests the front office believes there is more here than just a collection of names. [Read more 🡒]