How Bucks Guard Brayden Burries Can Win NBA Rookie of the Year

With the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks are in search of finding their next star to build around. After a season in which they missed the playoffs, they earned a lottery pick for the first time in 10 years. With the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bucks selected guard Brayden Burries out of Arizona. Burries is a talented combo guard and is very versatile on both ends of the floor. Because of the turnover on the Bucks roster this summer, Burries has a good chance to be in the conversation for the Rookie of the Year award, and he could be in a position to win it. When looking at the guards on Milwaukee's roster, there is other young talent, as Ryan Rollins looks to build on his breakout season in 2025, but by the end of the year, Burries could make himself the main player of that group. In the Summer League, Burries impressed the Bucks coaching staff as he finished averaging over 20 points per game and made plays that make one think he's the best athlete on the court. Burries is someone who can turn defense into offense and score on all three levels. He was able to take over games when he handled the ball on offense, and that's what the Bucks will need in someone who will be their next leader. If Brayden Burries' game in the Summer League can translate to regular NBA play, he could find himself with the Rookie of the Year trophy at the end of the season. The good thing for Burries is that he'll also be getting some help from teammates who are veterans in the NBA now. If he's a starter by the end of the season, players like Tyler Herro and Kel'el Ware could help him out on offense. Those are two players who are at a point in their careers where they can be very productive for a young roster like the Bucks'. If Ware can be the big man the Bucks hope he can be and coexist with Myles Turner while Herro is the number one option on offense, that could make Burries' rookie year a lot easier. Brayden Burries has the talent to win the award next season, but if the other factors around him line up and he continues to get opportunities, he may have an easier time making a run for Rookie of the Year than other players this season. Best Newest first Oldest first