The Bucks’ deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami has finally gone through, and once the dust started to settle, one question immediately hung over Milwaukee’s rebuild: who takes the first shot now?
The answer, at least for the moment, is Tyler Herro.
Milwaukee doesn’t have a roster loaded with obvious stars after losing its franchise centerpiece, and Herro stands out as the best player on the team even if other names may carry bigger long-term upside. That doesn’t mean everyone is sold on his place in the future or convinced he’ll still be there past the deadline, but for now, the Bucks are positioned to lean on him heavily.
And in a strange way, that gives Herro something he’s never really had before: a true first-option role.
He’s already shown he can handle a bigger offensive load. Since the 2021-22 season, Herro has averaged at least 20 points per game every year, and he has never shot worse than 37.5 percent from three. This past season, while working behind Bam Adebayo, he posted 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Now the setup changes. Milwaukee doesn’t have an elite big man or scoring forward waiting to soak up touches, and Herro should have plenty of chances to hunt his own shot. His best teammate is likely Ryan Rollins, who is expected to take on a much larger defensive role next season.
That’s why this stretch matters so much. If Herro is going to be the guy, even temporarily, this is his chance to prove he can carry more than a secondary scoring load.
It could also shape what comes next, because his performance over the coming months may have a direct impact on his trade value. For both Herro and the Bucks, making the most of this window matters.
Of course, the doubts around him haven’t disappeared. Herro’s reputation as a former Heat starting shooting guard comes with baggage, and the criticism has followed him for years.
The knock is familiar: he doesn’t defend, and his style can make Milwaukee’s already shaky defense even worse. Those concerns are real.
Still, there’s another side to the equation. If Taylor Jenkins and company put him in the right spots and build the roster around his strengths, Herro’s offense could easily outweigh the defensive issues.
That’s the opportunity in front of him now. The same player who’s been labeled a one-way scorer and questioned as a winner gets a fresh stage in Milwaukee, and for the next few months, he has a chance to change the conversation.
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For a team trying to turn a blockbuster deal into a workable next chapter, even these details matter because they signal the beginning of a new identity. Herros switch to No. 42 stands out most, while Jakucionis keeping No. 25 gives Milwaukee at least one familiar touchpoint as the group settles in. The bigger questions, of course, are still ahead, but the Bucks have at least moved from transaction mode into the part where the roster starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]