Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Depth Chart After Free Agency

Forbes

3 days ago

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks has his shot blocked by ... More Kevin Porter Jr. #77 of the LA Clippers in front of Ivica Zubac #40 during a 127-117 loss to the Clippers at Intuit Dome on January 25, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
The Milwaukee Bucks' point guard group has undergone some serious reshuffling this offseason—and it's going to look a lot different when the 2025-26 season tips off.
The biggest move was also the most surprising: the Bucks waived Damian Lillard. Not only that, they chose to stretch his contract, meaning he'll count $22.5 million against their cap for the next five years.
That's a tough financial hit, but Milwaukee believed it was necessary. Lillard is expected to miss most of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles, and there's no telling how much he'd have left in the tank when he came back.
In his place, the Bucks pivoted and used their freed-up cap space to land Myles Turner—an ideal two-way complement to Giannis Antetokounmpo, even if he can't match Lillard's offensive output.
With Dame out of the picture, here's a breakdown of Milwaukee's point guard depth chart with most of free agency settled.
1. Kevin Porter Jr.
It's Kevin Porter Jr.'s job to lose. He's projected to be the starting point guard and has all the tools to handle the gig—flashes of brilliance included. He had big-time moments last year, like the 24-12-8 performance in an overtime win against Miami. But there were also rough patches. Consistency is key this season.
Porter has the size (6-foot-4 and 203 pounds) and skill to swing between both guard spots, which gives Doc Rivers lineup flexibility—especially in stretches when Giannis is on the bench. Expect Porter to get the first crack at running the show, but he'll have competition pushing him all year.
2. Ryan Rollins
Rollins had a breakout 2024-25 campaign when he averaged career-highs in points (6.2), rebounds (1.9) and assists (1.9). He's hoping to level up again in 2025-26.
Rollins is solid on both sides of the court. He uses his athleticism and pterodactyl wingspan (nearly 6-foot-10) to disrupt passing lanes. He also knocked down 40 percent of his three-point attempts.
If he keeps developing, there's a real case to be made that Rollins could challenge for the starting job at some point. Either way, he should be in the mix for a larger role and will see plenty of minutes off the bench.
3. Cole Anthony
The Bucks snagged Anthony late in free agency, and it could turn out to be one of the steals of the summer. After starting all 65 games in 2021-22, he slid down Orlando's depth chart the past couple years and is hungry for a fresh start.
In Milwaukee, he may not start, but his role as a bench spark plug is clear. He can get buckets in a hurry, attack off the dribble, and create offense—even if his jumper still needs work. If he settles in quickly, Anthony could become a key contributor off the bench.
4. Mark Sears (Two-Way)
Undrafted rookie Mark Sears signed a two-way deal after the draft and brings scoring pedigree to the roster. He averaged over 18 points per game in three of his final four college seasons, but he's been sidelined during Summer League with a calf injury.
At 6-foot-1, Sears is undersized for the league, and his defense will need work. He's more of a long-term project who likely won't see real NBA minutes this year unless injuries pile up.
Final Word
This is the first time in a while the Bucks have gone into a season without a true difference-maker at point guard. But they've got depth, youth, and plenty of upside in the room. Whether that's enough to keep pace in the East without Lillard remains to be seen—but the battle for minutes should be one of the most competitive storylines to watch all season long.