Milwaukee Bucks sure squeezed every ounce of production from Giannis Antetokounmpo since drafting as 15th overall in 2013. It would have been nice though if they were able to create dynasty during his prime years. The issue is that the owners are not capable of it because they don’t know how to pick the right developmental players.
Reports claim the Bucks are about to waive Tyler Smith who they picked 33rd overall in 2024.
“The Bucks have to clear a spot to keep Amir Coffey on the opening night roster. Coffey made the team after signing with Milwaukee on a training camp contract,” Real GM reported.
“Smith was not present at the Bucks open practice on Sunday. Milwaukee has until 5 PM ET on Monday to be in regular season roster compliance.”
This development, according to Bucks Lead, means Milwaukee continues its streak of not signing their rookie to a second contract. The last time they did it was with the Greek Freak.
With Tyler Smith getting waived, the Bucks have now gone 11 straight draft classes without signing one of their own picks to a second contract…
The last Bucks draft pick to receive a second contract was Giannis 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dWZJ6JjFgb
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) October 19, 2025
This is an alarming stat as it reflects the team’s inability to create assets that they could have used to surround Antetokounmpo with great players. Now, they face the possibility of their franchise player leaving them.
Milwaukee Bucks future draft picks
The team did have high picks in the past. Among them are Thon Maker (10th overall in 2016), DJ Wilson (17th overall in 2017), and AJ Johnson (23rd overall in 2024). However, none of them turned out to be good assets that can use for rotation or trades.
The failure to get quality players may reflect Antetokounmpo’s case as a great franchise player or the franchise’s lack of foresight that may cause them their future.
Fans are now on Bucks’ case for this stat. Some people think this is the reason why Antetokounmpo is considering leaving.
The Bucks player development program needs an overhaul. You don’t keep your star player happy by signing his entire family to undeserved contracts. You keep him happy by not throwing away 11 straight seasons of draft picks, regardless of pick number.
— PaulieG’s NBA Index (@TheNBAIndex) October 19, 2025
This gets GM’s, scouts, and coaching staffs fired. Organizational malpractice https://t.co/jQeLX416F7
— The Anonymous Nobody (@el_budget) October 19, 2025
Horst blows at drafting but is excellent at everything else. He keeps trying to force project players with late first round picks every year.
Obviously bucks have been good for a long while so they get late round picks. They’ve also been in win-now mode for 8 years.
— Mayor of Milwaukee 🦌 (@mkebucks6) October 19, 2025
Things are not expected to get better when it comes to draft for the Bucks as they only have one pick that is of their total control. The worst part about is that it will only arrive in 2013 when Antetokounmpo is already 36 years old.
This is a breakdown of the Bucks picks by Sports Illustrated:
The Portland Trail Blazers have swap rights with Milwaukee in 2028 and 2030, while the Pelicans have swap rights with Milwaukee in 2026 and 2027. Milwaukee has future second round picks in 2025, 2026 (although it is top-55 protected via the Utah Jazz), and 2031.
Bucks will probably get nothing out of their picks, unless their current players develop into tradeable assets.
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