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Milwaukee Bucks: Projecting Next Season's 15-Man Roster and Depth Chart as Final Shape Nears 1 Feb 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) drives for the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Bucks finalize starting lineup and bench for 2025-26

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 3:19 PM ET

After a summer and preseason of multiple twists and turns, the Milwaukee Bucks have finalized their 15-man rotation for the season. At 5 PM ET this evening, final roster cuts will be official.

The starting lineup is far different from anything Bucks fans have seen in recent years. The team is younger and faster but also largely unproven. Even the bench has undergone some significant shakeups.

With opening night just two days away, here’s a look at the group Doc Rivers will have to work with to begin the season.

Bucks’ starting five and bench unit for 2025-26

As conveniently posted by NBA reporter Jake Weinbach:

PG: Kevin Porter Jr.

SG: A.J. Green

SF: Gary Trent Jr.

PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo

C: Myles Turner

Bench: Cole Anthony, Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Andre Jackson Jr., Gary Harris, Amir Coffey, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims.

Left off the 15-man unit were forwards Chris Livingston and Tyler Smith.

Of particular note is the fact that both AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. are penciled in as starters. For a while, who would start at small forward was up in the air. Would it be Trent? Kuzma (gag)? Prince (retch)?

During training camp Doc Rivers clarified the team’s plans by revealing that Prince would come off the bench. When the Green and Trent tandem took the floor at tipoff in every preseason game, Bucks fans took heart. The Green-Trent-Porter-Giannis lineup was Milwaukee’s most effective last season, although in a limited sample. Kuzma, on the other hand, had an atrocious -12.4 on-off rating. Prince clocked in at -6.2. Now we can all rest assured that Rivers is making the best use of his options.

The other most significant narrative is how Porter will fare as a starting point guard, a role he hasn’t occupied since 2022-23 in Houston. As a Buck last season he started all of two regular season games and one in the playoffs. Compared to Rollins and Anthony, he offers the best blend of scoring, creation, and defense, but is he qualified as a starter? We’ll have to see.

Projecting Bucks' opening night roster and rotation 3 days before preseason tipoff 1 Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks to guard Kevin Porter (3) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Considering the full complement of options off the bench should tone down any concerns about starting five to a degree. Depending on their minutes, Portis and Anthony are legitimate sixth man candidates. Rollins is primed for growth. Prince and Coffey are serviceable. Even Jackson and Sims aren’t bad as the 12th and 13th players on the roster. Kuzma is what he is but has an obvious path to improve bringing him off the bench is a lot easier to stomach.

Anyway, it’s the time of year for optimism, and Bucks fans have plenty to be genuinely excited about.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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