The Milwaukee Bucks’ rebuild following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has already shown promise with their 2026 NBA Draft selections. The franchise secured two lottery picks, selecting Brayden Burries from Arizona with the 10th overall pick and Nate Ament from Tennessee at number 12.
Burries has made an immediate impact during the offseason, showcasing exceptional talent in summer league play. Over four contests, the former Wildcat averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, two steals and one block per game. His college performance at Arizona was similarly impressive, where he posted 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals as a freshman, establishing himself as a two-way contributor.
Recognition from major media outlets has followed quickly. ESPN analysts recently named Burries the biggest draft-day steal in a comprehensive poll, with the guard earning six of 13 votes in that category. Only Yaxel Lendeborg, who was selected immediately after Burries, garnered comparable support among the other players evaluated.
While playoff contention may not be realistic for Milwaukee in the upcoming season, the organization appears committed to developing its young talent. Alongside Burries and Ament, recently acquired forward Kel’el Ware will receive significant playing time as the Bucks prioritize long-term growth over immediate postseason results.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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