The Milwaukee Bucks will enter the 2026-27 season with a new franchise player, a new head coach and an almost entirely different identity.
Milwaukee hired Taylor Jenkins after Doc Rivers stepped down following a 32-50 season. The organization then traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for a package headlined by Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and future draft capital.
Jenkins must now determine how those newcomers fit alongside the Bucks’ returning players. Milwaukee’s ideal starting lineup should feature Ryan Rollins, Herro, Jaquez, Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner.
That group gives Jenkins an established point guard, three capable perimeter scorers and a center who can protect the basket without limiting the team’s spacing.
Herro Takes Control of the Offense
Herro should immediately become Milwaukee’s primary offensive option.
The former All-Star can create his own shot, operate out of the pick-and-roll and stretch defenses well beyond the 3-point line. Starting him alongside Rollins would allow Herro to spend more time as a scorer instead of carrying every traditional point guard responsibility.
Rollins earned the starting point guard position last season while averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists. His improvement was one of the few encouraging developments during Milwaukee’s disappointing year.
Jenkins should give him an opportunity to build on that progress.
Jaquez would provide strength and stability at small forward. He is comfortable attacking mismatches, cutting without the ball and making quick decisions. Those qualities would complement Herro and Rollins better than adding another ball-dominant guard to the starting five.
Kuzma and Turner Provide Balance
Kuzma should remain the starting power forward, despite the understandable interest in pairing Ware with Turner.
A double-big frontcourt could become one of Jenkins’ situational options, but using it from the opening tip would place Ware in an uncomfortable role defending quicker forwards. It could also reduce the space available for Herro and Rollins to attack.
Kuzma gives Milwaukee a more natural positional fit. He can run the floor, rebound and supply additional shot creation when Herro is pressured.
Turner remains the logical starter at center after averaging 11.9 points last season. His ability to protect the rim and shoot from outside should make him central to Jenkins’ system.
Ware would still have an important role as Turner’s primary backup. Jenkins could also use them together against larger opponents or when Milwaukee needs additional rebounding and rim protection.
The Bucks have several other rotation options, including Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Caris LeVert and first-round picks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. That depth should allow Jenkins to adjust based on matchups.
Milwaukee’s lineup does not need to be built around its five most intriguing players. It needs balance.
Rollins, Herro, Jaquez, Kuzma and Turner offer the clearest combination of playmaking, shooting, positional size and experience as Jenkins begins constructing the Bucks’ post-Antetokounmpo identity.