The Bucks have a coach, a new core and no clear answer yet on whether the group is a foundation or a placeholder. The answer here: keep it together through the next three home games, because two games cannot justify a teardown.
Last season
Milwaukee finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs. The offense ranked 24th, the defense 26th, and the net rating was minus-6.1. Doc Rivers resigned afterward. Whatever the old core had been, it no longer carried a winning team, and that is the case for patience: there was little left to protect.
This summer
Taylor Jenkins was hired April 30. On June 23, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis went to Miami for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis. The draft added Brayden Burries at 10th and Nate Ament at 13th. Myles Turner signed after Damian Lillard's contract was stretched.
October 15
Jake Fischer reported that the Bucks, Lakers and Grizzlies were exploring trades. A follow-up the next day added the Hornets. Neither report carried specifics. Milwaukee's first-round picks are tied up in swaps through 2030, and payroll of $191.4 million sits under the $200.4 million tax line, so any move would have to be made with what is already here.
October 23
The home opener showed both sides of the question. Milwaukee led by 15 and lost to Chicago, 132-125, after the Bulls closed on an 8-0 run. Herro scored 34 and Jaquez had 19 points and 11 rebounds, but Jaquez also committed six turnovers while initiating the offense. The record is 0-2, 15th in the East.
Tonight
The Bucks visit the 76ers on NBA TV. Philadelphia is 2-0, and LeBron James is listed out. Milwaukee's schedule then turns friendly in location: the Pacers, Rockets and Cavaliers all come to Fiserv Forum. That stretch is the first real chance to see what Jenkins has built.
Are the Bucks going to make another trade this season?
Jake Fischer reported on October 15 that the Bucks are exploring trades, and the Hornets were added a day later. No specific deal has been reported.
How did the Bucks do in their home opener?
They lost to the Bulls, 132-125, after leading by 15. Tyler Herro scored 34 points, and Milwaukee is 0-2.
