As soon as Milwaukee split from Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, it got busy forming its next foundation. And honestly, it’s possible this club’s competitive window opens quicker than people think.
Hometown star Tyler Herro is a 26-year-old with a recent All-Star selection on his resume. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a 25-year-old who was just runner-up for an end-of-season award. Even incoming lottery pick Brayden Burries is a soon-to-be 21-year-old whose scouting report featured NBA readiness among his greatest strengths.
If nothing else, this is a young core that could grow intriguing sooner than later—especially if the front office turbo-charged it with a talent like Duren.
While the Bucks would have to ink a sizable pact with the bouncy big man, the trade cost would look quite favorable for a 22-year-old star.
Turner, who will be 31 in March, underwhelmed during the first season of a big four-year contract. Rollins has proved little to this point beyond an ability to post big numbers on a 50-loss team.
Even that draft pick should not sting too badly, since the Bucks would still have Miami’s 2031 first-rounder to dangle if they felt less bullish about their own long-term outlook.
That’s not a nothing package, obviously, but it also isn’t what you’d expect to see for a player as young and accomplished as Duren. Given what he and his team just achieved last season, he’d be a no-brainer keeper under almost any other circumstance. This contract stalemate, however, may have created an opportunity for the right buyer.
Why couldn’t that be the Bucks? They aren’t a free agent destination, so they’d only normally have access to a player like this by acing a draft pick. Duren fits Milwaukee’s long-term timeline.
Plus, letting go of Rollins would give more clarity to a guard group that would still feature Herro, Burries, 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakučionis and 26-year-old Kevin Porter Jr., who just averaged 17.4 points and 7.4 assists.
Add Duren to this group, and the foundation would feel surprisingly solid for a franchise that just traded away its longtime face. Ace a couple of developmental projects (like Jakučionis, Nate Ament, Kel’el Ware and Ousmane Dieng), and the Bucks might be ready to rise right when several Eastern Conference elites start aging out of the top tier.