The Milwaukee Bucks’ five-game preseason slate has concluded. With a 2-3 record and countless lineup combinations throughout, it was hard to gauge how the team might look this season. Still, in these five games, there were plenty of takeaways from an individual standpoint, some that are true and others that might be an overreaction. Let’s look at a few.

Overreaction – Tyler Herro can’t be Bucks’ first option

There are plenty of people who don’t think Tyler Herro is ready to be a first option. While his showing in the preseason wasn’t perfect, there were glimpses of him proving the opposite. He finished with a team-high 16.8 points per game across these five games, and he was efficient in doing so, shooting 51.1 percent from the floor, including 56.5 percent from deep.

He looked like a player who could be Milwaukee’s leading scorer this season, especially in the finale, where he poured in 25 points. While scoring will always be his bread and butter, if Herro is indeed on track to be Milwaukee’s top guy, he’ll have to show strides in his passing. He averaged under three assists per game in these games. Still, looking beyond that, the scoring was stellar.

Overreaction – The Bucks need to trade Myles Turner

Kel’el Ware’s sizzling start to the preseason had fans pleading for the Milwaukee Bucks to trade away big man Myles Turner. While Ware feels like the future at the center spot, keeping Turner around isn’t the worst idea for the time being. Ware is still raw, as he showed in later outings, and will need time to grow. Letting him do so under Turner’s guidance could help him come along nicely.

While Turner struggled offensively across the preseason—averaging 9.5 points while shooting just 37.9 percent from the floor—the big man helped elsewhere. His interior defense was on point, tallying 2.8 blocks per contest. It was also nice to see him rebounding well, hauling in 6.3 per game. He can be a useful veteran at the center spot as Ware develops.

Truth – Brayden Burries is ready for the bright lights

Brayden Burries’ stock was already through the roof before the preseason, but his performance only added to his allure. Where to begin? He finished averaging 14 points per game, the second most on the team behind Herro, and 2.5 steals, by far the most on the squad. He was insanely clutch late in games, helping the Bucks gut out a win against the OKC Thunder. The guard did everything.

Taylor Jenkins made it clear that Burries, along with fellow rookie Nate Ament, will have to earn roles with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Burries has done just that. Before he even plays an NBA game, Burries looks like he’s one of the best players on the entire team. He might not start, but he absolutely needs to be a mainstay in Milwaukee’s rotation from day one this coming season.

Truth – Kevin Porter Jr. may have played last Bucks game

One player Burries may have leapfrogged in the rotation is Kevin Porter Jr. The latter is coming off a poor preseason, averaging just eight points while shooting 30 percent from the floor, three assists, and two turnovers per game. Averaging the 11th-most minutes on the team, Porter could very well be an afterthought in this rotation, especially with Burries playing so well.

As Milwaukee’s roster crunch looms, Porter could be one of the odd men out, especially following this rough preseason. NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required) reports that the Bucks have talked to teams about a Porter trade, so it’s not far-fetched to think the franchise could move him to clear room for Burries in the backcourt in the coming days.

Truth – Kyle Kuzma is safe as Bucks starting forward

Kyle Kuzma opened and finished the preseason as Milwaukee’s starting power forward. Other players had opportunities to showcase their talent throughout, but none were eye-popping enough to bench Kuzma, in all likelihood. Unless the Bucks find a suitor amid their roster jam, Kuzma is likely on track to open the season at that starting four spot.

Kuzma’s preseason performance was fine. He averaged eight points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and a steal per game across three contests. It was nice to see him shoot 50 percent from long range, as the Bucks will need him to hit those shots if Jaime Jaquez Jr. is starting next to him at small forward. If he can be a two-way forward while largely deferring to others in this lineup, this all could be fine.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.

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