RADIO
Kel'el Ware has Double-Double Off the Bench in Preseason Opener
Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware recorded 14 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one block in 24 minutes off the bench during Monday's 116-97 preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 22-year-old shot 5-for-11 from the field and 2-for-6 from three, while Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma drew the frontcourt starts in Taylor Jenkins' coaching debut. Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks last season, and Milwaukee's rebuilding roster gives him a path to a larger role. Turner remains the starter for now, but Ware's rebounding and shot-blocking make him worth monitoring if his minutes climb.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Bucks Sign Jake Stephens
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed center Jake Stephens, the team announced Thursday, filling the final spot on their 21-man offseason roster. The 26-year-old spent last season with KK Split in Croatia, averaging 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 16.1 minutes across 61 games while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. Stephens faces a crowded path to NBA minutes with Myles Turner, Kel'el Ware, and Jericho Sims already in Milwaukee's frontcourt, while John Butler Jr. is also in camp. Stephens carries little fantasy appeal and appears more likely to wind up with the Wisconsin Herd than secure a regular-season role.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Kel'el Ware Could Push for Starter Minutes
Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware enters camp with a much cleaner path than he had in Miami, with ESPN's Zach Kram noting that only Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma currently sit ahead of him at center and power forward. The 22-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 22.1 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 53.0 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and 74.0 percent at the line. Milwaukee also views this season as a chance to see whether Ware can become a foundational piece. Turner has been mentioned as one of the Bucks' top trade candidates, and any move would open a clearer route to starter-level minutes. Ware already has the rebounding, blocks, and efficiency profile fantasy managers chase; the question is whether Taylor Jenkins gives him enough run to turn that upside into nightly double-double value.
Source: Zach Kram
Source: Zach Kram
Bucks Bring Back John Butler Jr. on a Camp Deal
The Milwaukee Bucks signed forward/center John Butler Jr. to a non-guaranteed training camp deal, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. It is the second straight fall the 7-footer has landed a preseason look with Milwaukee after spending last season with the Wisconsin Herd. Butler averaged 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 28.6 minutes across 49 G-League games while shooting 36.3 percent from three. Milwaukee does have one two-way slot open, so a strong camp isn't a wasted exercise for him. Even so, Myles Turner, Kel'el Ware, and Jericho Sims have the center rotation locked down under Taylor Jenkins, which keeps Butler off fantasy radars in every format.
Source: Eric Nehm
Source: Eric Nehm
Rafael Castro Signs Two-Way Deal with Rockets
The Houston Rockets announced Wednesday that they signed rookie center Rafael Castro to a two-way contract and waived guard Tristen Newton in a corresponding move. Castro went undrafted after a redshirt senior season at George Washington and later played for Milwaukee's California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League teams. Across 63 starts over his final two college seasons, he averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. With Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela ahead of him, Castro projects for heavy Rio Grande Valley time and is not a fantasy target.
Source: Ben DuBose
Source: Ben DuBose
Myles Turner Draws Little Interest on Bucks' Trade Block
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner is on the trade block alongside Kyle Kuzma, though the Bucks have drawn little interest, per Evan Sidery. Turner is tough to move: he is signed through 2029 with a 15 percent trade kicker, so a deal is unlikely soon. That is not bad news for fantasy. Turner's numbers dipped to eighth-round value in his first Milwaukee season, 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 threes and 1.6 blocks, as he adjusted to a new offense, but the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo rebuild could funnel more usage his way. His blocks-and-threes profile remains a category-league staple. Draft him as a mid-round center with bounce-back upside as Milwaukee's featured big, and the stalled market only reinforces his secure role.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Jericho Sims Secures $2.8 Million Option With Milwaukee
Center Jericho Sims is choosing the sure thing over free agency. The Bucks center plans to exercise his $2.8 million player option for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. It lands him in a Milwaukee frontcourt that looks nothing like last year's after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Sims made the most of his first full season as a Buck, averaging 5.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 19.7 minutes across 67 games with 19 starts. He is a rim-runner who shot a career-best 78.4 percent from the field and even logged a triple-double in April. With the rotation wide open and starter Myles Turner drawing trade interest, the backup center minutes are there for Sims to seize. He has to earn them, but the door is more open than it has been in years.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Giannis Antetokounmpo Traded to the Heat in Blockbuster Deal
Center/power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is joining the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Milwaukee is sending Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and a haul of three first-round picks, a swap, and a second-rounder. The two-time MVP pairs with Bam Adebayo to form one of the NBA's best frontcourts and stays a top-tier fantasy option, though his 36-game season last year is a durability flag. The bigger fantasy news sits in Milwaukee, where a rebuild hands Herro the offense as the clear No. 1 option after he topped 20 points a game in each of the past five seasons. Ware also stands to start at center, lifting his rebounding and shot-blocking value, while Jaquez Jr. should see steadier minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Boston Gains Momentum in Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Pursuit
The Boston Celtics have a "real shot" at landing Milwaukee Bucks power forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo in a deal built around Jaylen Brown, NBA insider Marc Stein reports. A league source told Stein that Boston gained momentum over the weekend, with Milwaukee weighing whether a direct framework could work and Miami still in the mix ahead of Tuesday's draft. Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, would be the centerpiece, and Milwaukee is believed to be seeking significant draft compensation, potentially including up to three first-round picks and young wing Hugo Gonzalez. The fantasy ripple cuts both ways. Brown carried Boston to an All-NBA season while Jayson Tatum recovered, so a move to a Giannis-less Milwaukee would hand him the offense and a likely usage spike. Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, stays a top-tier fantasy asset anywhere, and slotting next to Tatum and Derrick White would reshape Boston's touch hierarchy.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Bucks Target Miami Youth in Giannis Antetokounmpo Talks
NBA reporter Evan Sidery reports that Milwaukee's asking price in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with Miami could include Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick, and a future first, with the Bucks also preferring to reroute Tyler Herro and/or Nikola Jovic for more draft capital. The framework lines up with broader reporting from Marc Stein, and Milwaukee is expected to resolve the situation before the June 23 draft. The fantasy dominoes would be significant. A post-Giannis Bucks team could hand Ware and Jaquez larger developmental roles while putting Myles Turner's long-term role at center in question. In Miami, Antetokounmpo would stay an elite fantasy anchor, though his arrival could trim Bam Adebayo's usage. Herro's outlook is the murkiest, swinging on whether he stays in Milwaukee or gets flipped again.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Celtics Resurface as Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Suitor
The Boston Celtics have quietly reentered the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade race, The Ringer's Bill Simmons reported, suggesting the team had been lying in wait after a stunning first-round exit. Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor added that Boston is willing to make Jaylen Brown available, with Jayson Tatum the only player it won't move for the Bucks star, though Jake Fischer notes no meaningful talks have happened yet. For fantasy managers, both stars are worth tracking. A trade would likely land Brown on a lesser team as a featured scorer, lifting his usage and counting stats even as the wins dry up. Giannis stays a first-round, multi-category anchor wherever he lands, though a Boston pairing with Tatum would shave his usage, with the free-throw drag and durability risk following him regardless. Nothing is close, so monitor rather than react.
Source: Bill Simmons
Source: Bill Simmons
Trail Blazers Willing to Chase Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly willing to pursue Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo even without long-term contract assurances, with the New York Post citing ESPN's Shams Charania that Portland is interested "no matter the risk." Antetokounmpo remains on Milwaukee's roster and is still one of the strongest fantasy producers in the league. The 31-year-old averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 2025-26, keeping him firmly in the first-round fantasy conversation. If Portland's pursuit ever turns into a serious offer, the team's young roster would need to be re-evaluated around a massive usage shift. Until then, Antetokounmpo's value remains elite, with his offseason trade status carrying the bigger fantasy swing.
Source: Bryan Fonseca
Source: Bryan Fonseca
Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Concerns About Heat Roster If Traded to Miami
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has questions about what the Miami Heat roster would look like after a potential trade. The rumored package is built around Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and draft capital, with Bam Adebayo considered off limits. The former MVP averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists and shot 62.4% from the field this season. Antetokounmpo would remain an elite fantasy option in Miami, but the concern is real: if the Heat lose too much shooting and depth, his usage could climb while his efficiency and assist ceiling become more dependent on Adebayo and the pieces left around them.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Magic Reportedly Have Giannis Antetokounmpo on Their Radar
The Orlando Magic are gearing up to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Earlier this month, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks are open to trade offers for Antetokounmpo, and it looks like the Magic are among the teams pursuing him. Orlando also reportedly explored trading for Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline. The Magic's efforts to attract the Greek superstar could be boosted if they hire Sean Sweeney, a former Bucks assistant coach, to serve as the team's new head coach. Sweeney is currently an associate head coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Antetokounmpo's move to Orlando would be intriguing, but it would come at a high cost, probably involving Paolo Banchero in the deal.
Source: Jim Owczarski
Source: Jim Owczarski
Bucks Listening to Offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo seems closer than ever to leaving the team. On Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Bucks are open to trade offers for Antetokounmpo. The team is looking for a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks in a potential deal. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers reportedly pursued Antetokounmpo at the February trade deadline. He should also draw plenty of interest in the offseason leading up to the 2026 draft. Wherever he lands, Antetokounmpo will aim to deliver a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26 after health issues limited him to 36 appearances this season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
