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The Milwaukee Bucks begin training camp with a roster very different from recent years — reshaped in the wake of moving Giannis Antetokounmpo — and both executives and players expect an intense competition for minutes. Team leaders say veterans will be challenged by a wave of younger additions as Milwaukee seeks to define a new identity heading into the season.
Open tryouts: nobody’s spot is safe
A Bucks executive told Spotrac writer Keith Smith this summer that the club anticipates a fiercely competitive camp. “We’ve got a lot of vets who are going to play. But behind them are kids who are going to push them. We should have a really competitive camp this year. From talking to the guys, everyone feels energized and ready to go,” the executive said.
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That sentiment reflects a broader shift: with the roster turnover, traditional assumptions about roles no longer hold. While some starters are expected, many positions remain unsettled and will be decided in practices and preseason games.
Starting lineup battles to follow closely
At the top of the pecking order, Tyler Herro and Myles Turner are the likeliest candidates to open in the starting five, but their spots are far from guaranteed. Several younger players are lined up to make a push.
Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. are in direct competition for minutes next to Herro. On the wings, Kyle Kuzma, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Ousmane Dieng are all vying for small- and power-forward duties. In the frontcourt, Kel’el Ware will look to test Turner whenever the opportunity arises, while Pete Nance must use camp to prove he deserves a regular role despite reports he might be a cut candidate before the regular season.
Reserve rotation could tilt toward youth
Milwaukee’s bench currently includes experienced scorers such as Caris LeVert, AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr., all signed to significant contracts. Yet the club’s recent draft and trade maneuvering suggest management expects younger contributors to challenge those minutes.
The front office’s trust in rookies like Brayden Burries — selected 10th overall — and Kasparas Jakucionis was clear in roster construction. Those two, the executive noted, will be pressing the veterans for playing time and could force lineup changes if they outperform expectations.
Coach’s evaluation will determine who stays
Under coach Taylor Jenkins, the preseason will serve as a proving ground. If veteran signees fail to demonstrate fit or impact, they could see their roles reduced or lose roster spots to younger players who seize the moment.
The contrast with recent years is notable. Outside the team’s controversial Damian Lillard acquisition, this camp is being framed internally as an opportunity to reset. Players and staff appear to welcome the chance to build cohesion around a new core.
