Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, 2026 13th Overall Pick Nate Ament and Future Draft Considerations
Bucks send Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. to Miami Heat
MILWAUKEE (July 6, 2026) – The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (HY-may HAH-kez), Kasparas Jakučionis (KAS-per-es yah-koo-CHOH-nis), the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which the Bucks used to select forward Nate Ament from Tennessee, and future draft considerations from the Miami Heat in exchange for forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr.
“From delivering a championship to transforming our franchise, Giannis’ impact on the Milwaukee Bucks is lasting and profound,” said Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan. “We are incredibly grateful for what has been a remarkable and historic journey together.
For 13 seasons, Giannis gave everything to this organization and inspired our city with his relentless drive, humility and heart. He grew into one of the greatest players in the world while becoming an integral part of the Milwaukee community. More importantly, Giannis represented this organization with authenticity, character and a deep commitment to the people of Milwaukee.
His unforgettable moments on the court and his influence beyond the game defined an era of Bucks basketball and elevated our franchise on a global stage. Few players have left such a meaningful mark on a team, a city and an entire generation of fans.
Though this chapter has come to an end, Giannis’ legacy in Milwaukee is secure. It will always be felt here — in the rafters, throughout our community and in the countless people he inspired. Forever a Buck.”
Originally selected by the Bucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo appeared in a franchise-record 895 games with Milwaukee and owns career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game with a 55.4% mark from the field. Over 13 seasons with the Bucks, the two-time league MVP became the all-time franchise leader in points (21,531), rebounds (8.882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088), field goals made (7,898), free throws made (5,178), triple-doubles (56) and minutes played (29,273), while also leading the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship and being named the 2021 Finals MVP.
Antetokounmpo’s decorated Bucks career also includes becoming a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year award, 10 All-Star selections and starts, highlighted by an All-Star MVP win in 2021, nine All-NBA honors, five All-Defense nods and the 2016-17 Most Improved Player award.
“Since we drafted him in 2013, Giannis has transformed the Milwaukee Bucks in every way — on the court, in our locker room and throughout the community,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “Over 13 seasons, he became an extraordinary leader, teammate and representative of this city, and one of the defining players of his generation. The standard he set will continue here.
This was an incredibly difficult decision, made for what is best for the future of the Bucks and for Giannis. On a personal level, Giannis and I have shared this entire journey together, and he has been an exceptional partner, friend and inspiration. All of us at the Bucks have been impacted by his presence and influence and are deeply grateful for everything he and his family have given. We wish them continued success and are excited to see them soon.
This transition also means saying goodbye to another player who played an important role in one of the most successful eras in Bucks history. From the moment Bobby arrived, he embraced what it means to be a Buck and quickly became a fan favorite through his passion, competitiveness and unwavering commitment to winning. Bobby played a vital role in helping our franchise capture the 2021 NBA Championship, and his performance throughout that historic playoff run will forever be part of Bucks history.
Beyond his impact on the court, Bobby forged genuine connections throughout Milwaukee, invested his time and resources in the community and made the city his home. The relationship he built with our fans was special, and the chants of ‘Bob-by! Bob-by!’ that echoed throughout Fiserv Forum became a defining part of his legacy.
We thank Bobby for everything he has meant to this organization and wish him continued success and happiness.”
Portis Jr. appeared in 406 games over six seasons with the Bucks, averaging 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. He also recorded a 40.9% mark from three with Milwaukee, and his 602 made threes are the fifth-most in franchise history. A two-time Sixth Man of the Year finalist, Portis Jr. totaled 3,744 points and averaged 12.6 points per game off the bench for the Bucks, ranking third in franchise history in both categories. The Arkansas native has played in 721 career games with Milwaukee, Chicago, New York and Washington with career averages of 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game with a 47.9% mark from the field and 39.3% accuracy from behind the arc.
“We’re excited to welcome Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez and Kasparas Jakucionis to Bucks basketball,” Horst said. “Each brings talent, versatility, competitiveness and a team-first mentality that builds our culture and identity.
We’re confident in the foundation we’re establishing under Coach Jenkins and excited about the opportunities ahead. Our team will compete, play together and get better.”
A native of Greenfield, WI, Herro spent his first seven NBA seasons with Miami after being selected by the Heat with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-5, 205-pound guard has appeared in 394 games (245 starts) and accrued career averages of 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Herro amassed 7,664 points as a member of the Heat, the sixth-most in franchise history, and he ranks second and sixth, respectively, in team history in made three-pointers (1,068) and field goals (2,787). The 26-year-old earned the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year award in just his third NBA campaign, and he was selected to his first career NBA All-Star Game in 2025.
Last season, Herro saw action in 33 games (28 starts) with the Heat, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. He shot a career-best 48.0% from the field with a 37.8% mark from three while recording his fifth consecutive season scoring more than 20.0 points per game. The Kentucky product has also appeared in 50 playoff games with Miami, tallying 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 30.6 minutes per game while averaging double figures in scoring in five of his six postseason campaigns.
Ware, a 7-0, 250-pound center, played in a career-high 77 games (34 starts) with Miami last season, averaging career-bests in points (11.1) and rebounds (9.0; 10th in NBA) per game while tying his career-high 1.1 blocks per game. Playing in his sophomore NBA season, the 22-year-old shot 53.0% from the field (17th in NBA) with a career-best 39.5% mark from distance. Ware grabbed a career-high 694 boards last season, ranking ninth in the NBA, and his 84 total blocks were the fifth-most among second-year players and the 17th-most in the league. After being selected by the Heat with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Indiana product and Arkansas native has totaled 141 games (70 starts) in his first two NBA seasons, and he holds career averages of 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game with a 54.0% mark from the field.
The 2025-26 runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, Jaquez Jr. saw action in 75 games last season with the Heat and averaged career-highs in points (15.4), rebounds (5.0), assists (4.7) and minutes (28.3) per game while shooting a career-best 50.7% from the field. He led all NBA reserves last season with 15.4 points per game and 1,138 total points off the bench, and he was the only player to average more than 15.0 points from the bench per game. The 6-6, 230-pound forward has played in 216 games over three seasons with Miami after being selected by the Heat with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. A California native and UCLA graduate, Jaquez Jr. owns career averages of 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 25.9 minutes per game while shooting 49.1% from the field.
A 6-5, 205-pound guard, Jakučionis appeared in 53 games as a rookie with Miami last season, averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 17.8 minutes per game. The Lithuanian native shot 42.9% from the field with a 42.3% mark from three, and he reached double figures in scoring 13 times last season, including two 20-point performances. The 20th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Jakučionis spent his lone collegiate season at Illinois, playing in 33 games and averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.8 minutes per game.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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