Taylor Jenkins was hired in Milwaukee for a reason, and the early returns are already showing why. His reputation for developing young talent followed him from Memphis, and in just six games with the Bucks, that track record is starting to show up in real time.
The clearest signs have come from a group of four young players: Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel'el Ware, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament. Each one is getting something valuable out of this early stretch, and each one looks like he’s moving faster than expected.
Jakucionis has been one of the biggest early wins. Milwaukee’s decision to cut Kevin Porter Jr. right before the season opened handed Jakucionis the backup point guard job, and he has made the most of it. He’s already posting career highs basically across the board, and as the only true point guard on the standard roster, his playmaking has given the Bucks a real lift whenever he’s on the floor.
Ware’s role is different, but the growth is there too. Even with fewer minutes than he played during his first two seasons in Milwaukee, he’s producing a career-high 13 points per game.
His rebounding and block numbers are down, but the big man is still making his presence felt. With Jenkins guiding him and Myles Turner working alongside him, Ware has room to keep climbing.
Then there are Burries and Ament, the two names that may have surprised people the most. Plenty around the team probably viewed it as a long shot for either rookie to get meaningful run this season, but Jenkins has leaned into them anyway.
They’re still clearly unfinished products, but the effort is obvious. Energy, scoring, defense, and the kind of edge young players need to stick - it’s all showing up.
Of course, none of these four is operating with a clear runway. Jakucionis is behind both Tyler Herro and the struggling Ryan Rollins.
Ware is sitting behind Turner at center. AJ Green is ahead of Burries, though that may not stay that way for long.
Ament, meanwhile, is second in line at forward behind Kyle Kuzma, whose start has been quietly solid.
That setup means patience for now, and that’s not a bad thing. The Bucks can let these players develop before asking them to carry even more. But if the early signs keep holding, the next question becomes how much more room Milwaukee can create for them.
The NBA Trade Deadline could force that issue. If the young players keep pushing forward, the Bucks may have to make some tough calls on veterans in order to open up more minutes. And if the losses continue to pile up, getting these four on the floor more often could become less of a developmental idea and more of a practical one.
After years in which youth and development seemed to sit on the back burner in Milwaukee, Jenkins has brought a different feel almost immediately.
In Other News...
Bucks May Have A Simple Rotation Fix For Ryan Rollins
Ryan Rollins early-season dip in scoring and shooting efficiency has been one of the quieter issues for the Bucks, especially after the way he flashed last year. Milwaukee has already found one young guard who can help organize the offense in Kasparas Jakucionis, whose passing has given the group a different kind of rhythm, and the fit between the two guards has looked promising whenever they have shared the floor.
The catch is that the Bucks have not leaned on that pairing much yet, even though the small sample has produced positive net ratings. For a team looking for simple ways to steady Rollins and keep the offense moving, more minutes with Jakucionis could be the kind of low-drama rotation tweak that pays off without requiring a bigger overhaul. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Rookie Nate Ament Is Forcing A Bigger Role Early
Nate Ament has already worked his way into a much larger early-season spot than many rookies get, and it has come at a time when the Bucks have needed someone to stabilize the wing rotation. With Ousmane Dieng struggling to deliver consistent production, Ament has been pushed into meaningful minutes and has looked comfortable enough to justify the opportunity. His scoring has been modest, but he has brought enough activity and poise to stay on the floor.
The numbers suggest there is still plenty of room for growth, especially as a jump shooter, but Aments defense has helped keep his case alive. Opponents have shot just 31 percent against him when he is the primary defender, which is the kind of early sign coaches tend to notice quickly. For a Milwaukee team trying to sort out its depth, the question now is whether Ament can turn this opening into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Already Have An Uncomfortable Rotation Decision To Make
The Bucks rough start has already pushed Taylor Jenkins into an early-season balancing act, and the loss to Cleveland only sharpened the question of how long he can keep leaning on the same rotation. Milwaukee is off to a 1-5 start, and the offense has not gotten enough from several veteran pieces, with Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner and AJ Green all struggling to find rhythm or efficiency.
At the same time, a few younger players have made a case for more run, with Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakuionis giving the staff something to think about. Jenkins has acknowledged how hard it has been to find consistent lineups for the rookies, and he sounds open to changes, which leaves Milwaukee facing an uncomfortable early decision about how much patience to show the veterans and how quickly to reward the newcomers. [Read more 🡒]