![\"Milwaukee](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-2254668258-594x594-1.jpg\")
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Giannis uncertainty looms, but the Bucks\u2019 offseason will be defined by whether they retain the three players quietly shaping their future.<\/p>\n
Tension may be building between the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> front office and Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>, but the bigger issue is what comes next. Whether Giannis stays or not, Milwaukee is heading into an offseason filled with difficult roster decisions.<\/p>\n Five players hold pending player options<\/a>. Three more are set to hit restricted or unrestricted free agency. That leaves the Bucks walking a tightrope between reshaping the roster and preserving the pieces that actually worked.<\/p>\n Even if Giannis remains the centerpiece, Milwaukee cannot afford to lose the supporting players who quietly elevated this team down the stretch. Here are three players the Bucks must keep, regardless of how the Giannis situation unfolds.<\/p>\n Ousmane Dieng Is Unlocking a New Ceiling<\/p>\n Ousmane Dieng\u2019s<\/a> late-season surge wasn\u2019t just a hot stretch, it was a glimpse of something much bigger. Over his last 11 games, Dieng averaged 5.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and nearly 18 points per night. His April 1 explosion against the Houston Rockets<\/a> for 36 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists, forced people to take notice.<\/p>\n That performance didn\u2019t come out of nowhere. Milwaukee gave him something the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> never fully did: control. Instead of using Dieng as a stationary perimeter option, the Bucks put the ball in his hands. They let him initiate offense, attack defenders, and grow into a secondary playmaker. The results followed quickly.<\/p>\n In 30 games with Milwaukee, Dieng averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 42.3 percent. That assist jump stands out most. He never averaged more than 1.2 assists per game with the Thunder. At 6-foot-9, his versatility only raises the ceiling. He can handle, pass, and defend multiple positions. If he adds strength, he becomes even more dangerous. For the Bucks, Dieng could be much be bigger than a role player.<\/p>\n Kevin Porter Jr. Brings Needed Creation<\/p>\n The Bucks thank the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> every day for the Marjon Beauchamp trade<\/a>, because they got a backcourt stabilizer in return. Kevin Porter Jr.<\/a> stepped into a major role and delivered. In 38 games, he averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while leading the team in drives<\/a> with 16.7 per game.<\/p>\n That on-ball pressure stands out the most as Porter Jr. created 8.3 points per game on drives while shooting over 51 percent in those situations. He consistently broke down defenses and opened opportunities for shooters like A.J. Green and Ryan Rollins. In short, he gave Milwaukee something it lacked as a reliable shot creator.<\/p>\n Injuries cut his season short, including knee surgery that ended his year in March. That complicates his upcoming player option decision, but it doesn\u2019t change his value. At 25 years old, Porter fits both timelines. He can help a team trying to contend with Giannis or anchor a younger core if the roster shifts. Letting that kind of production walk would be a mistake.<\/p>\n Jericho Sims Adds Athleticism the Bucks Lack<\/p>\n Jericho Sims<\/a> won\u2019t headline the roster, but his impact fills a clear need. In limited minutes, Sims averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting an elite 78.4 percent from the field. His efficiency dwarfed Myles Turner\u2019s interior scoring, even with a smaller role.<\/p>\n The difference shows up in play style. Sims is an above-the-rim finisher who thrives in pick-and-roll action. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, he adds physicality and vertical spacing, two areas Milwaukee has lacked. Turner offers shooting. Sims brings energy, rim pressure, and rebounding.<\/p>\n That contrast makes him valuable as a change-of-pace big. In lineups with playmakers like Porter Jr., his athleticism becomes even more impactful. For a team searching for identity, that kind of role clarity matters.<\/p>\n None of these players may be the star player that Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to pair with to get back into championship contention. But whether it\u2019s to contend or it\u2019s to reboot, these are three players that the Milwaukee Bucks should not let walk out the door.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tJalon Dixon<\/a> Jalon Dixon is a multi-platform sports journalist and content creator specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage. He blends writing, podcasting, and video analysis to deliver accessible, in-depth perspectives on basketball and beyond. 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