Milwaukee Bucks Power Forward Depth Chart Following Free Agency
The NBA moves faster than any other league in professional sports. Game 7 of the NBA Finals wrapped up barely a month ago—on June 22—and free agency didn't even start until eight days later. Still, the Milwaukee Bucks' roster is already close to set heading into the new season.
And make no mistake—the Bucks are overloaded in the frontcourt. They currently have six players who primarily operate as power forwards or centers. That's going to create some challenges for Doc Rivers when it comes to setting a rotation.
It's worth noting: this list doesn't include Bogoljub Markovic, the Bucks' only draft pick this year. He's not under contract on Milwaukee's 15-man roster, and signs point to him spending at least his first pro season overseas.
With that out of the way, let's break down the Bucks' power forward depth chart after free agency.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks will go only as far as Antetokounmpo can carry them. Once surrounded by a host of All-Star talent, he's now the lone holdover from the team's recent prime.
Milwaukee plans to hand Giannis the keys to the offense full-time. With Damian Lillard out, they flirted with 'Point Giannis' last season—and now it looks like that experiment will become a full-time role in 2025-26.
Expect the Bucks to run plenty of sets with Giannis initiating. That means opposing defenses will have to pick their poison: collapse to stop the freight train barreling down the lane, or stay home on shooters spaced around him. Either way, the Bucks are betting on Antetokounmpo to create everything.
Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma shifted to the small forward spot after arriving in Milwaukee last season, but he's clearly more comfortable at the 4. The problem is that's Giannis' territory.
It looks like the Bucks want to slide Kuzma back to his natural position, which could mean fewer minutes and a smaller role—especially after a disappointing stretch post-trade deadline and into the playoffs, where he was pulled from the starting five.
Tyler Smith
Milwaukee is still in wait-and-see mode with Smith. The Bucks knew he was a project when they grabbed him in the second round of the 2024 draft, but it still stings knowing more polished players like Johnny Furphy, Ajay Mitchell, and Jaylen Wells were drafted after him.
For Smith to stick, he has to develop his jumper. If he can turn into a reliable pick-and-pop or stretch-four threat, he might find a niche. But unless there's an injury crisis, don't expect to see much of him this season.
Chris Livingston
If we're being honest, I should've included Chris Livingston on the small forward depth chart here. He would be beneath Andre Jackson Jr.
Livingston looked solid in Summer League, which helped him earn a return to Milwaukee after briefly being released during free agency. Still, he faces a major challenge: he doesn't really have a position.
He's not quick enough to stick with wings, and at 6'6", 220 pounds, he's undersized to guard true fours. That tweener status has hurt his development so far, and unless he can carve out a clear role soon, this might be one of his last shots in the league.
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