As the Bucks sort through the last pieces of their roster, Zack Austin is making a pretty loud argument for himself. The 24-year-old has turned Summer League into a showcase for the kind of rim protection and two-way utility that can separate a fringe player from a real NBA option, and Milwaukee’s unsettled future only makes that case stronger.
Austin’s path has been unconventional, but the production has been real. He went undrafted in 2025 and spent the 2025-26 NBA season with the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League, where he appeared in 20 games and averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game while shooting .487/.404/.667.
That shot-blocking has carried straight over to Summer League. On Wed., July 15, Austin put up 10 points, four rebounds, three offensive boards, one assist, and three blocks against the Charlotte Hornets, with all three blocks coming in a 75-second burst.
Zach Austin with 3 blocks in 75 seconds to end the 1st quarter (with replays) pic.twitter.com/dZVUoWNy2p
- MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 16, 2026
That was his second straight game with at least three blocks, which fits the profile he’s been building: a 3-and-D forward who can erase shots at the rim and make life miserable for opposing scorers.
Austin’s value goes beyond the highlight blocks, though. His athleticism lets him play above the rim as a lob threat, finish in transition, and punish defenders with powerful dunks. Add in the efficient outside shooting, and you get the kind of forward Milwaukee should be interested in developing.
There's gotta be a two-way spot out there for Zack Austin pic.twitter.com/P2gHRuByI7
- All About the Bucks (@All_About_Bucks) July 16, 2026
The Bucks have already made clear investments in their future with rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament joining the likes of AJ Green, Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Kel'el Ware. Even with that group in place, Austin stands out because there really isn’t another player on the roster who does what he does.
He’s listed as a wing, but that label barely captures what he brings. Austin’s defensive game is broad enough to cover more than one role, and his profile looks more like a three-point shooting forward who can protect the paint and jump passing lanes.
That’s the kind of skill set worth keeping around. Milwaukee may have other names to weigh for a two-way deal, but Austin is making it harder by the day to look past him.
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