The Milwaukee Bucks are officially turning the page on arguably the greatest era in franchise history.

After 13 seasons, one NBA championship, and back-to-back NBA MVP trophies, Giannis Antetokounmpo is no longer with Milwaukee. The Bucks traded their franchise icon, along with Bobby Portis, to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal after Antetokounmpo informed the franchise that he would not sign a long-term extension, signaling that it was time for both sides to move on.

In return, Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Nate Ament, two unprotected future first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick. It is a substantial return on paper, but no trade involving a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber can ever feel truly equal given what he meant to the franchise.

Antetokounmpo grew from a raw teenager into one of the greatest players in basketball history. He led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship and became the defining face of the organization in the modern era.

Barring another trade, the Bucks will move forward with a core that includes holdovers Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner, and Kevin Porter Jr., along with Herro, Jaquez, and Ware from Miami. Turner, now 30 years old, profiles as the veteran leader of this new group. Entering his second year with the team, he gives Milwaukee the veteran presence needed to provide stability during this transition.

Herro will likely become Milwaukee’s primary offensive option. The 26-year-old guard was an All-Star in 2025 and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2022, but this will be his first opportunity to serve as the full-time focal point of an offense. During his All-Star campaign, with Jimmy Butler sidelined for much of the year by injuries, Herro averaged a career-best 23.9 points on 47.2 percent shooting. He improved that efficiency to 48.0 percent this past season, and the Bucks are hoping it carries over even in a larger role.

Jaquez and Ware are just as important to watch. Jaquez is still only 25 and appears ready for greater responsibility, while Ware, at just 22, still has considerable room to grow. Both flashed plenty of promise in Miami, but Milwaukee will now ask them to take on much larger roles. How they respond will go a long way toward determining whether the Bucks can begin laying the foundation for their next contender or remain focused on accumulating lottery talent.

Last month’s draft also gave Milwaukee two more intriguing young pieces who could become important parts of the organization’s future. Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick, is the type of versatile guard who should fit seamlessly alongside almost any roster. Ament, the No. 13 pick acquired from Miami, is a raw 6-foot-10 forward with significant upside. If Milwaukee can afford to be patient with him, much like it once was with Antetokounmpo more than a decade ago, he could eventually become a cornerstone of the franchise’s next chapter.

All things considered, the Bucks have an intriguing young core, established veterans, and enough promising talent to make this coming season worth watching. While no player can replace Antetokounmpo, giving Herro, Jaquez, Ware, Burries, and Ament room to grow gives Milwaukee its clearest path toward building the franchise’s next contender.

Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo era may finally be over, but the franchise is far from starting over. The next great Bucks team may take time to emerge, yet the foundation now in place gives Milwaukee every reason to believe another winning era can eventually follow, though it may take some time.