There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that the Milwaukee Bucks should entertain Ryan Rollins in any trade talks this season. None. The guard has been playing like a rising star, and he’s on a bargain of a contract that extends multiple years. In a year full of questionable decisions, trading Rollins for any reason would go down as the most puzzling.

Bucks need to keep Ryan Rollins no matter what

Milwaukee Bucks fans knew Ryan Rollins was due for a leap this season, but even they are surprised by what he’s put on display lately. In 2025-26, he’s averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.1 boards, and 1.6 steals per game, blowing his previous career highs out of the water. He looks like a rising star on both sides of the basketball, and he’s still just 23 years old.

For a Bucks team that has been starved of youthful contributors in recent years, largely due to their own fumbles via the draft, trading away one of their best hidden gem pickups would be disastrous.

It’s obviously still very early in his career, but Rollins has the makings to be a Jrue Holiday-like player. Holiday has always been known for his robust two-way play, picking up two All-Star nods and an eye-catching six All-Defensive selections throughout his career. Outside of his assists, Rollins’ numbers are actually comparable to Holiday’s from his fourth season, when he was first named an All-Star.

The Holiday comparison highlights how seamless a fit Rollins is alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. During Holiday’s time with the Bucks, he and Antetokounmpo were among the most fearsome duos on defense in the entire NBA due to the sheer versatility and physicality they boasted. These two have the potential to bring back that type of needed tenacity.

Trading Rollins wouldn’t do much to convince Giannis to stay as he ponders his future with the team.

Rollins’ contract should also take him off the market. The Bucks have him on the books for $12 million over the next three years. Not annually. Total. That’s among the biggest bang for your buck deals in the entire NBA. Even if the third year is a player option, the team still has Ryan Rollins under financial control next season.

There’s no reason to trade Rollins whatsoever. He’s too valuable both financially and on the court.

Some would argue that Kevin Porter Jr. has also earned the untouchable tag in trade talks. While he has been playing the best basketball of his career, the only reason he isn’t off the table entirely is due to him being able to enter free agency next summer. If the Milwaukee Bucks were not confident that they could re-sign him, a scenario exists where they could look to trade him to get some assets.

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