MILWAUKEE— Less than a day after agreeing to trade away Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks got their first look at life after the face of the franchise.
The team entered Tuesday night’s NBA Draft with a new collection of players, additional draft assets and plenty of questions about where the organization goes from here.
The blockbuster trade sent Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, ending a 13-year run that included two MVP awards, an NBA championship and some of the most successful years in franchise history.
The Bucks acquired Milwaukee native Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, along with multiple first-round picks and future draft assets.
For Bucks fans, the reality of the trade was still sinking in on draft night.
Fans React on Draft Night
At draft watch parties around Milwaukee, fans were still processing the end of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 13-year run with the Bucks while getting their first look at the franchise’s future.
Avery Crane said the trade was difficult, but not entirely unexpected after several disappointing playoff exits in recent seasons.
“It sucks that Giannis is gone, but we’re looking forward to the future,” Crane said. “The fact that it’s done, now we can kind of look forward.”
Brothers Bar & Grill Draft Night (Photo: Nazir Spencer)
For Bailey Paulson, Tuesday night’s draft brought back memories of following a rebuilding Bucks team before Antetokounmpo emerged into a superstar.
“It was the first time in a long time I looked forward to a draft,” he said.
Avery Crane shared a similar view, saying the selections of Brayden Burries and Nate Ament gave fans reason to be optimistic despite the emotional departure of the franchise icon.
“I think Burries is a fantastic pick,” Crane said. “There’s a bright future, especially considering what we’re coming from.”
Not every fan was ready to move on.
Paulson said he slept only a few hours after learning of the trade Monday night and called Antetokounmpo’s departure bittersweet.
“I didn’t sleep well,” Paulson said. “But I’m glad I turned a bad night and kind of a sad morning into something that’s a little bit happier.”
Brothers Bar & Grill Draft Night (Photo: Nazir Spencer)
When asked for a final message to Antetokounmpo, both fans focused on the gratitude and appreciation for Giannis.
“I don’t think we have Fiserv Forum without you. I don’t think we have this championship without you,” Paulson said. “Thank you for everything you did for the city.”
Who did the Bucks draft?
The Bucks used Tuesday night’s draft to begin adding pieces for the future. With the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft, Milwaukee selected Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the 10th overall pick. With the 13th pick, the Bucks selected forward Nate Ament at No. 13.
Burries emerged as one of the top freshmen guards in college basketball last season, averaging 16.1 points per game while earning First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Freshmen Team honors. The 6-foot-5 guard gives Milwaukee another young scoring option as the organization looks toward the future.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Brayden Burries after he is drafted tenth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Brothers Bar & Grill Draft Night (Video: Nazir Spencer)
The Bucks also selected Nate Ament, a versatile forward who averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds during his freshmen season at Tennessee. Ament helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen Team, while also being Second-team All-SEC.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Nate Ament after he is drafted thirteenth overall by the Miami Heat during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Brothers Bar & Grill Draft Night (Video: Nazir Spencer)
The selection of Ament remains tied to the pending trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Under NBA rules, that deal cannot become official until July 6.
The two lottery picks represent Milwaukee’s first opportunity to reshape its roster following the blockbuster trade that ended the Giannis era.
Horst Explains Next Steps
After the first round concluded, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst met with media and discussed the organization’s draft choices and the future following the trade.
“I would just say the theme of building,” Horst said. “We’re just really excited to continue to build and add on piece by piece.”
Horst said Burries and Ament fit the identity Milwaukee is trying to establish, citing their size, versatility, competitiveness and character.
Regarding Burries, Horst pointed to the rookie’s basketball IQ and ability to impact both ends of the floor.
“Brayden’s size, his IQ, his competitiveness and the fact he plays on both sides of the floor,” Horst said.
Horst also praised Ament’s work ethic and commitment to development, noting the forward added nearly 20 pounds during his freshmen season at Tennessee.
Bucks General Manager Jon Horst at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center
(Photo: Nazir Spencer)
The Bucks executive described both players as confident competitors who embraced challenges throughout their basketball careers. He also says regardless of the pick placement, starting will have to be earned. Horst made it clear that nothing is given.
What’s next?
The draft marked the first major step in what could be a transformative offseason for Milwaukee.
Horst indicated the Bucks expect to remain active as free agency approaches and the roster continues to take shape.
For now, Tuesday night provided the organization’s first opportunity to look ahead.
After a whirlwind 24 hours, the Bucks left the draft night with two lottery picks, additional young talent and the first building blocks of a new era in Milwaukee. For the first time in 13 years, without the generational player Giannis Antetokounmpo.