Milwaukee's payroll runs $193.8M against a $165.0M cap, over the cap but $6.6M shy of the $200.4M tax line and well clear of both aprons. Tyler Herro's $33.0M leads the books, and most of the club's first-round capital through 2030 is tied up in trade swaps.
This summer
The June 23 trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami brought back Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis, remaking the payroll in one stroke. Milwaukee used that same draft to add Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. Jake Stephens's September 17 signing closed out the offseason, leaving 20 contracts on the 2026-27 sheet.
Now
Milwaukee sits at $193.8M, over the $165.0M cap, $6.6M under the $200.4M tax line and comfortably below the $209.0M first apron and $221.7M second apron. Herro's $33.0M tops the sheet, followed by Myles Turner at $26.6M, Damian Lillard's $22.5M player option, Kyle Kuzma at $20.3M and Gary Trent Jr. at $15.2M.
September 23
Joe Vardon reported the NBA is reviewing the trade that brought Gary Trent Jr. to Milwaukee. No detail on the league's findings, scope or timeline has surfaced since.
Next season
Turner's number climbs to $27.9M and Lillard's $22.5M carries over, but the 2027-28 sheet as filed drops Herro's $33.0M, Kuzma's $20.3M, Caris LeVert's $14.8M, Jaquez's $5.9M, Kevin Porter Jr.'s $5.4M option, Jericho Sims's $2.8M option and John Butler Jr.'s $2.4M, leaving Turner, Lillard, Trent Jr., AJ Green and the younger core as the largest holdovers.
Through 2030
Milwaukee's own first-round picks are wrapped into swaps in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; only the 2027 second is held outright, and the 2030 second is owed to Orlando.
Are the Bucks over the salary cap?
Yes. Milwaukee's payroll is $193.8M against a $165.0M cap, though the team is $6.6M under the $200.4M luxury tax line.
What is Milwaukee's biggest contract?
Tyler Herro's $33.0M, ahead of Myles Turner's $26.6M and Damian Lillard's $22.5M player option.
