Feb 8, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks mascot Bango waves a flag with the Milwaukee Bucks logo prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Young Bucks Forward Slammed for Summer League Play

Originally posted on Milwaukee Bucks on SI
By Jason Fray | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 2:30 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks have put together a roster that should be competitive in a weakened Eastern Conference.

Newly-signed center Myles Turner should pair excellently with Giannis Antetokounmpo up front. Forwards Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis Jr. offer further depth in the frontcourt. What Milwaukee somewhat lacks is a wing with defensive chops. This archetype could be a role filled by Andre Jackson Jr. However, another young player in the mix for playing time is Tyler Smith.

More news:Damian Lillard Breaks Silence on Moment He Learned Bucks Waived Him: It Was a Shocker

"I liked him enough last year that I would've [taken] him in the lottery."

As Tyler Smith heads to Greece with Bucks teammates, @Barlowe500 explains why he believes Tyler can make a difference in this league.

WATCH: https://t.co/lXyeivZm5C pic.twitter.com/ro1wy4qawh
— Bucks+ (@BucksPlusAudio) June 26, 2025

The 6-foot-9 forward out of New Orleans was taken at the beginning of the second round last year by the Bucks. Bypassing college, Smith initially played in the Overtime Elite league. It was here where he demonstrated enough for the Bucks to take him No. 33 overall last year.

John Hollinger of The Athletic has been involved in NBA circles for decades — first as a journalist and later as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies front office. He recently crafted an article speaking about the Summer League and the players who've seemingly taken a step back. Unfortunately for the Bucks, Smith was on that list as a disappointing performer.

"The 33rd pick in the 2024 draft was perhaps the most disappointing second-year player in Vegas, failing to record a single assist in five games, shooting 31.3 percent from the floor and recording a meager 7.0 PER in five games," writes Hollinger. "Already looking at another year buried at the end of the Bucks’ bench, he watched as summer teammate Chris Livingston may have passed him on the depth chart."

Bucks Tyler Smith — Summer League 3P shooting:

First 4 games:
2/23 (8.7%)

Final game:
4/6 (66.7%)

pic.twitter.com/1dB9fG6yt0
— Cody Gray (@scrollingscout) July 19, 2025

Ouch. This is not the write-up fans of the Bucks were hoping to read as it pertains to the 20-year-old. In 23 games last year, Smith did shoot 48 percent from the floor and 43.3 percent from 3-point range (albeit with a small sample size). The hopes were that another year of experience could propel Smith into some sort of role on the team needing athleticism.

Smith has an intriguing skill-set as a dunker with the range to space the floor from beyond the arc. There's questions with every young player as to whether the consistency can get there. Smith is no exception, and for a team hoping to win the Eastern Conference this season, the Bucks likely won't be waiting around for Smith to find himself on the court if he can't play with more efficiency when given opportunities.

More news:Bucks' $216 Million Blockbuster Trade Named One of NBA's Biggest Mistakes of the Decade

For more news and notes on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.

This article first appeared on Milwaukee Bucks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: