Milwaukee, WI

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Draft Picks: Current Status And Future Options

Published

2 years ago

May 24, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Draft Picks: Current Status And Future Options

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: General manager Jon Horst of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks to the … [+] media about the dismissal of head coach Adrian Griffin prior to a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum on January 24, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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As the Milwaukee Bucks gear up for another critical offseason, their draft capital is under close scrutiny. It’s a bare cupboard thanks to their goal of building a championship-caliber team around Giannis Antetokounmpo before the clock strikes midnight on his prime.

That leaves Milwaukee with very few options when it comes to upgrade their roser—an important task following a second-straight premature playoff exit in the first round. Here’s a comprehensive look at the current status of the Bucks’ draft picks, the ones they’ve traded away, and the options they have moving forward.

Inventory of Draft Picks

Picks the Bucks Currently Own:

2024 First-Round Pick: The Bucks own the 23rd selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. They were initially awarded the 21st pick, but the New Orleans Pelicans held a swap.
2024 Second-Round Pick: The Bucks own the 33rd selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.
2026 First-Round Pick: Milwaukee retains this pick, although it is subject to a potential pick swap with the New Orleans Pelicans.
2028 First-Round Pick: The Portland Trail Blazers hold the right to swap picks with the Bucks.
2030 First-Round Pick: Similar to 2028, the Trail Blazers have the right to swap picks.
2031 First-Round Pick: Available to trade starting the night of the 2024 draft.
2031 Second-Round Pick: This pick is also available for trade or use.

Traded Away Draft Picks

The Bucks have traded away several picks in recent years as they’ve pushed for championship contention. Here’s a detailed look at those transactions:

2025 First-Round Pick: This pick is conditionally owed to New Orleans (if it falls within the 1-4 range) or New York (if it falls within the 5-30 range).
2027 First-Round Pick: This pick is fully unprotected and owed to the New Orleans Pelicans.
2029 First-Round Pick: This pick is unprotected and committed to the Portland Trail Blazers.

General Options with Draft Picks

Given the limited and conditional nature of their draft assets, the Bucks’ front office needs to be strategic. Here are some potential options they can explore:

1. Using Existing Picks for Long-Term Roster-Building

The Bucks could keep their 23rd and 33rd overall selections to add more young players to their roster. This would give them cheaper alternatives than trading for a veteran who has already signed a lucrative contract. This would also give them a lottery-ticket to develop players who could become stable parts of the franchise.

2. Utilizing Picks in Draft-Day Trades

On draft night, the Bucks can leverage their picks to move up or acquire additional assets. This can include:

Moving Up in the Draft: Packaging their 2024 first-round pick with a player or another pick to move higher in the draft and select a promising young talent.
Trade for a Veteran: Combining their 23rd overall pick, 33rd overall selection, 2031 first and/or 2031 second in any combination with a current player to upgrade the roster.

3. Strategic Pick Swaps

Considering the numerous pick swaps with New Orleans and Portland, the Bucks can:

Negotiate Pick Swaps: Engage in discussions with the Pelicans and Blazers to navigate around the swaps, potentially offering other assets to retain certain picks. This would give them more flexibility about which picks they can trade this offseason.

The Bucks have a nuanced draft pick situation. While they’ve traded away significant future assets to build a championship-contending roster, they still hold a couple of valuable picks. The key for the Bucks is to leverage their existing picks to enhance their roster while navigating the complexities of their traded and swapped picks.

As the offseason unfolds, the Bucks’ front office faces the challenge of balancing immediate roster improvements with the preservation of future flexibility. The decisions made regarding their draft picks will be pivotal in maintaining their competitive edge and maximizing the prime years of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whether they opt for immediate trades or strategic draft maneuvers, the Bucks’ draft strategy will play a crucial role in shaping their pursuit of sustained success.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee judge calls out marijuana odor in courthouse

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee judge calls out marijuana odor in courthouse

A Milwaukee County judge on Thursday, Feb. 26, criticized the smell of marijuana inside the courthouse during a sentencing hearing, calling it inappropriate and illegal as visitors described the odor as common.

Posted February 26, 2026 9:30pm CST

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks sign Cormac Ryan to two-way contract

Published

21 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks sign Cormac Ryan to two-way contract

The Milwaukee Bucks signed guard Cormac Ryan to a two-way contract for the remainder of the regular season.
Ryan will be ineligible to play for the Bucks during the postseason.
Ryan averaged 20.4 points per game for the G League’s Wisconsin Herd, shooting 42.3% from three-point range.

The Milwaukee Bucks rewarded Cormac Ryan for his strong G League season with the Wisconsin Herd by signing him to a two-way contract. That will allow Ryan, 27, the chance to finish out the regular season with the Bucks. He would be ineligible for postseason play, however.

Ryan joins former Dominican High School star Alex Antetokounmpo and Pete Nance on two-way deals. The Bucks now have a completely full roster, with 15 guaranteed contracts as well.

Ryan was originally signed by the team in the summer, when he played in five summer league games, before inking a training camp contract. He appeared in two preseason games.

Ryan then played 29 games with the Herd and shot 42.3% from behind the 3-point line to average 20.4 points per game. He shot 48.9% from the field overall.

Ryan, a 6-foot-5 guard, played at Stanford (2018-19), Notre Dame (2020-23) and North Carolina (2023-24) before going undrafted. He averaged 10.4 points per game in college on 35.2% 3-point shooting. He made 40.7% of his 3-pointers in 2021-22 at Notre Dame.

He initially signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ryan did not make it out of training camp in 2024 but signed to the Thunder’s G League affiliate.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Cavs?

Published

2 days ago

February 25, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Cavs?

The Milwaukee Bucks have an opportunity to steal a victory from one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, they host the tired and diminished Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Fiserv Forum.

Cleveland (37-22), in contention for a top three seed, beat the New York Knicks on Feb. 24 in Ohio. After flying into Milwaukee after the game, the Cavaliers ruled out MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell and reigning defensive player of the year Evan Mobley. All-star James Harden is questionable to play.

One player who will suit up for Cleveland is point guard Dennis Schröder, who was acquired at the deadline from Sacramento. The 32-year-old is often a thorn in the side of the Bucks, and he scored 24 points in a Kings victory over the Bucks early in the season.

The Bucks are also playing on the second night of a back-to-back, though they slept in their own beds after beating Miami at home. They have won seven of their last nine games.

Milwaukee (25-31) remains out of the postseason picture entirely, however, sitting in 11th place in the East.

The Bucks have beaten teams with winning records in consecutive games only twice this season, with wins over Golden State and New York (Oct. 28-30) and Orlando and Oklahoma City (Feb. 11-12).

And, the Bucks also have struggled against teams that do not have their stars. They lost twice to Denver without all-stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray (and even more starters), lost to Minnesota without all-stars Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert and even Portland without starters Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe. They also lost to Philadelphia twice without Joel Embiid and Paul George on a minute limit.

Is Giannis playing?

No.

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is still ramping up in his rehab from a Jan. 23 soleus strain in his right calf, which he self-diagnosed as a four- to six-week injury. Antetokounmpo has done “live” practice work with teammates and coaches after the team returned home from New Orleans beginning on Feb. 21.

Before the game against Miami, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo has not gone five-on-five but does not need to. Rivers also added the two-time MVP has not suffered any setbacks with the injury.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

10-16

Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes.

Cavaliers on hot streak since trading for James Harden

Cleveland, which was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year with 64 wins, doubled down its roster heading into this season with the most expensive team in the NBA. But, as the trade deadline approached in early February, the team had fallen short of expectations. So, they began shedding salary and talent, most notably homegrown all-star guard Darius Garland.

They shipped the injured 26-year-old to the Los Angeles Clippers for 36-year-old all-star guard James Harden and received an immediate boost, winning five straight and six of seven heading into the game against the Bucks.

But Harden did suffer a fracture in his right (non-shooting) thumb against the Knicks on Feb. 24.

Harden has been solid since arriving in Cleveland, averaging 18.9 points on 48.8% shooting from behind the 3-point line while also averaging 8.0 assists. His presence has rejuvenated all-star center Jarrett Allen, who has averaged 20.4 points on 76.7% shooting since the point guard’s arrival. Before Harden joining the team, Allen averaged 13.9 points on 60% shooting in his first 40 games.

Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf strain)

Milwaukee Bucks probable starters

Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
Forward: Kyle Kuzma
Center: Myles Turner

Cavaliers injury report

Max Strus, out (left foot surgery)
Donovan Mitchell, out (right groin strain)
Evan Mobley, out (left calf injury management)
James Harden, questionable (right thumb fracture)

What time is the Bucks game?

Tip-off is schedule for 7 p.m. CT.

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The game will be simulcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and WMLW The M with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.