Bucks fans want two ex-Heat players in the starting five
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Bucks fans want two ex-Heat players in the starting five
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 18: Kel'el Ware #7 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat high five during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Zac Day
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3 min read
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This week, our attention turned to the quartet of players—Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis—the Bucks acquired as part of the trade that sent Giannis and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. More specifically, we asked you howmanyof them you think Taylor Jenkins should start.
Turns out the magic number is two.
Arguably more important than the numbers, however, is thecombinationof starters. One prevailing line of thinking suggested that combination should be the backcourt/frontcourt tandem of Herro and Ware:
R984: …I selected 2. Herro just bc he's probably our best offensive player (unless Rollins surpasses him, in which case move Herro to the bench imo), and I would like to see us start Ware, whether that is at the 4 or 5. I care much more about Ware being in the position to develop to his maximum potential than I do about Turner.
retired janitor: Two, Herro and Ware.
Thirty Point Buck: Hopefully there's a trade before the season so they only have to showcase several for the deadline. Herro will start until traded . Ware will start but depending on matchups will come off the bench.
GBFanBoy: Herro and Ware all day. Keep Jaquez thriving off the bench. Let Turner have his way at the 4. Heck, he's a better shooter than his sample size for sure. Ware as well in that regard, it's got Cosby sauce all over it. Rollins and KPJ should get dynamic duo, Herro, Turner, Ware
Two wasn't the only desirable total, with a fitting third of voters wanting to seethreeof the quartet start. But it wasn't always for the same reason:
Knuckles: I went with 3: I still am a firm believer that Jaquez Jr. should start. High IQ, excellent secondary playmaker, and coming off a 6MOY campaign in a contract year. I think there is a very good chance he has a breakout season, and I want to see us either make him a part of the new future core (still 25 and this will be his fourth season) or make him available at the deadline. Same thinking with Herro… Ware is definitely a swingman in the front court, so I not only think he needs to start next to Turner but we want to figure out where his best fit is after we deal Turner.
naveed2000s: Three, only because currently JJJ is our best option at starting SF.
Of course, as R984 noted, some Bucks fans might thinknoneof them should start—in which case those future picks better be great, otherwise we mightreallyneed to reevaluate the trade.
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In all, as far as the comments go, it seems Bucks fans are set on—or at least accepting of—Herro starting, while also beinginon a double-big lineup featuring Ware and Myles Turner. Evenmoresurprising, discussion aboutwho should start for the Bucks at point guardpointed to fans wanting Kevin Porter Jr. as the main distributor. So, is Ryan Rollins shafted to the bench or do the Bucks run with a three-guard lineup?
With trade target Peyton Watson now a Cleveland Cavalier, Jaquez accustomed to a sixth-man role, and the Bucks still searching for answers in the forward slots, that very much remains in play.
That question—and the rest of the small forward puzzle—will be explored in the next instalment of our "Choose Your Own Adventure" starter series, coming Tuesday.
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