Milwaukee Bucks Updated Depth Chart After Week 1 Of Free Agency

For better or worse, the Milwaukee Bucks were one of the biggest shockers of the first week of free agency. They pulled a rabbit out of the hat, carving out unexpected cap space to steal Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers.

Turner’s an upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in their careers. He’ll team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo to form one of the nastiest frontcourts in the East.

Of course, that move came at a steep price. Milwaukee had to waive and stretch Damian Lillard to clear the room for Turner—a monster gamble that we’ll be talking about for a long time, one way or the other.

Along with Lopez, the Bucks also parted ways with Pat Connaughton (traded) and Chris Livingston (waived).

Beyond that, they managed to hold onto most of their guys—bringing back Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, Bobby Portis, and Jericho Sims—and even added veteran guard Gary Harris on a vet minimum deal.

Right now, Milwaukee has 13 players on standard contracts, plus three two-way guys. That means there’s at least one more roster spot to fill before the season tips off.

Here’s a look at how the depth chart is shaping up after a whirlwind first week. I used the positional breakdowns from Cleaning the Glass—point, combo, wing, forward, and big—so this isn’t a prediction of the opening night starting five. Just a snapshot of how the roster stacks up.

Let’s get into it.

Point

1. Ryan Rollins

Combo

1. Kevin Porter Jr.

The Bucks are real thin at the point. Expect Giannis to do a lot of the heavy lifting as a ball-handler, but even that won’t be enough. Rollins and KPJ should get more touches next season, but Milwaukee has to use its last roster spot (or two) to bring in more steady hands in the backcourt.

Wing

1. Gary Trent Jr.
2. AJ Green
3. Taurean Prince
4. Gary Harris
5. Andre Jackson Jr.

This wing group has some interesting pieces. If I’m Doc Rivers, I’m rolling with Trent and Green to start—best blend of shooting and defense next to Giannis. They rolled with that unit for their final playoff game against the Pacers, but it was too late at that point.

Prince took more heat than he deserved last season. In a 20-minute role, he’s totally fine. And hopefully Jackson Jr. gets a real shot this year instead of riding the pine behind a long line of vets.

Forward

1. Kyle Kuzma

Kuz is a natural fit at the 4, but Rivers tried to make him work on the wing last year. Hopefully that experiment’s over. Let Kuzma cook with the second unit, where he can score without cramping the spacing for the starters.

Big

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Myles Turner
3. Bobby Portis
4. Jericho Sims
5. Tyler Smith

The Bucks are stacked with size. Antetokounmpo and Turner give them a modern two-big combo that can defend anywhere and do damage on both ends. Turner protects the rim and spaces the floor. Giannis does everything else.

Portis is the perfect third big who can plug in with either guy depending on the matchup. And don’t be surprised if Kuzma gets some backup run at the 4 when they want to downsize.

Two-Ways Deals

• Pete Nance (Forward)
• Jamaree Bouyea (Combo)
• Mark Sears (Point)