The sound of a clock ticking.

INT. BUCKS HQ — OFFICE — AFTERNOON

JON (41, general manager) sits at a desk, tie pulled loose, bags under his eyes. Papers are scrawled across the desktop, names crossed out in red ink. He sips at a coffee, sets it down. Runs his hands through his hair, knuckles white. The clock continues TICKING, the hour hand approaching 3. Jon gets up, paces back and forth, eyes darting to the clock. Then, out of the corner of his eye, a flash—the phone. He picks it up.

MONTAGE — KEVIN PORTER JR. PLAYING FOR THE BUCKS

Receives a handoff, takes 3 dribbles, and hits a 17-foot jump shot against Golden State—his first as a Buck.Knocks down two free throws to complete a triple-double in a blowout win versus Dallas.Splashes five threes against the Lakers. Another W. Goes full NBA Street in overtime at Miami: splits the double, spins through the lane, and floats in a tough game-sealer. 28, 12, and 8. Dub. Turns Super Saiyan in the fourth against Minnesota—four steals, a flurry of dunks, a 24-point comeback win. Turns to Jon, who nods, smiles. He knows. Finishes with 16, 4, and 7 in a win against Detroit to cap a seven-game win streak and secure the fifth seed.

INT. BUCKS HQ — OFFICE — NIGHT

It’s months later. The playoffs have come and gone. BROOK LOPEZ (geriatric, legend) has left for Los Angeles, ESPN regurgitates the annual “Giannis wants out” headlines. Jon is pacing, phone to his ear.

Fourteen, five, and five. Fifty, forty, eighty-five. Nine and four record.

Are you sure about this? What about the playoffs?

INT. COFFEE SHOP — THE NEXT MORNING

The hum of constant movement—the clink of the doorbell, an espresso machine pulling a shot, indistinguishable chatter—eddies throughout the shop. Customers sit, sipping at their drinks, scrolling through their phones. Workers scurry between tables, stacking plates and mugs. Then, a DING. And another.

The dings continue—hands and eyes move frantically to the notification.

A post from Shams Charania:

“Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner.”

INT. BUCKS HQ — OFFICE — MORNING

Jon stands at his office window, watching a robin flit from one curbside tree to the next. The city’s waking up—traffic rolls, street lamps cede to the morning sun. He basks in the light, then moves to his desk. It’s clear—no papers, no names. He reaches for his phone, dials.

INT. FISERV FORUM — OPENING NIGHT

It’s a packed house, fans cheer and dance, trying to get on the jumbotron. On the court, an OFFICIAL (50s) throws the jump ball. MYLES (29, refreshed) wins the tip. The ball finds A.J. (26, starting 3), who hands it off to GIANNIS (30, Buck for life). The crowd stands, applauding their hero. Giannis crosses half-court, sets the play, and swings the ball to KEVIN (25, reborn), who catches it on the wing.

Kevin palms the ball behind his back, surveying the defense. He scans the sideline, sees Jon—arms folded, tie centred and tight. They NOD.

Kevin calls for Myles to screen, then uses it to snake downhill to the free-throw line. He slams on the brakes, crosses over—his defender on his heels—steps back, and rises up. Courtside cameras flash as he fades in slow motion, extends his elbow, and cocks his wrist. The ball releases from his fingertips, spins through the air and—

“2025–26: The Rebirth”