2026 NBA Draft: Top Targets For The Milwaukee Bucks At 10th Overall

Bucks GM Jon Horst - Photo by The Athletic

Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Bucks secured the 10th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft during this past weekend’s draft lottery, and the team will be looking to land another core piece in hopes of convincing Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a new extension this summer.

Here are the Bucks’ top five options for the 10th pick.

1. Select Tennessee forward Nate Ament: The Bucks need another young athletic wing who gives the team the ability to score and help defend the paint, and Ament would fit both of those needs. Ament, who was named to the Second Team All-SEC by both the coaches and AP and selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team, averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during the 2025-2026 season. Scouts note that while Ament has the potential to be a very good scorer in the NBA, his size remains his biggest issue, and he would need to add more muscle before the season starts this fall, as he currently weighs just 207 lbs.
2. Select Michigan center Aday Mara: Milwaukee has gained a reputation around the league as being a soft team, as they ranked in the bottom five in team rebounding this past season, and Mara would be able to help resolve that issue right away. Mara, who is from Spain and stands 7’3″ and is 255 lbs., was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds during Michigan’s championship season. Mara would help players like Giannis and Myles Turner take on more natural scoring roles and make up for the defensive loss of Brook Lopez.
3. Select Arizona point guard Brayden Burries: While Burries is unlikely still to be on the board at 10th overall, recent reports indicate that the Bucks are open to making some notable trades this offseason to retool their roster, which may include players like Kevin Porter Jr. being moved, creating a need for a guard like Burries to be a day-one contributor for new head coach Taylor Jenkins. Burries was voted to both the First Team All-Big 12 team and a member of the Big 12 All-Freshman Team this past season after averaging 16.1 points and 2.4 assists per game for the Wildcats.
4. Select Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg: Lendeborg became a houshold name during the March Madness tournament, where he helped the Wolverines defeat other powerhouse schools such as Connecticut, Arizona, and Tennessee on their path to winning the national championship. He was voted Big Ten Player of the Year and Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player after averaging 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season. He measures 6’9″ and weighs 240 pounds. While his injury history and age are concerns for many teams, Lendeborg has the potential to contribute right away for the Bucks, who need more consistent scorers.
5. Trade Giannis and the 10th overall pick to the Wizards for a package that includes the number one overall pick. Most Bucks fans have little to no interest in trading Giannis, and keeping him and rebuilding around him is by far the best option. The relationship between him and the Bucks front office continues to be contentious, and being able to acquire a future All-Star in AJ Dybantsa, young guards Cam Whitmore and Tre Johnson, or forward Kyshawn George, as well as future picks, would be a better package than what most NBA teams have reportedly offered to date. Giannis stated earlier this month that he prefers to remain close to the East Coast since it’s closer to Greece, so playing in DC would fit that request, plus he’d get to play with fellow NBA stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.