The Milwaukee Bucks could have two valuable trade assets in their frontcourt, with Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware potentially drawing interest from NBA contenders during the 2026-27 season.
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports reported that executives around the league are already viewing Milwaukee as a team that could be targeted because of its combination of young talent and big men capable of protecting the rim while also stretching the floor.
“Ware and Myles Turner could help Milwaukee figure out what comes next, or they could help somebody else win a championship,” O’Connor wrote.
Turner, 30, is the more obvious trade candidate. The veteran center is in the second year of a four-year, $109 million contract that includes a player option for the final season. He joined the Bucks in 2025 after spending the first 10 years of his career with the Indiana Pacers.
In his first season with Milwaukee, Turner averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocks in 71 games while shooting 38.3% from three-point range. He has made at least two three-pointers per game in each of the last two seasons and remains one of the league’s established stretch-five options.
Turner also brings considerable postseason experience and was a key part of Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals in 2025.
Ware presents a different proposition because of his age and contract. The 25-year-old is in the third year of a four-year, $20.5 million rookie-scale deal, with a team option for the final season.
The former Miami Heat center averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game last season. He shot 53.0% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range, showing the combination of size, rebounding and shooting that could make him particularly attractive to teams looking for frontcourt depth.
O’Connor noted that Ware did not consistently earn Erik Spoelstra’s trust in Miami because his defensive effort and focus fluctuated. The change to Taylor Jenkins in Milwaukee could give him an opportunity to play through those issues with a larger role.
“If he starts defending with more consistency and keeps making 3s, why wouldn’t Milwaukee want to keep him?” O’Connor wrote.
The Bucks may therefore have reasons to keep both players, at least initially. Milwaukee is entering its first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo after trading him to the Miami Heat, and the organization needs to determine which pieces from its new roster fit its long-term plans.
O’Connor identified seven teams among his top 13 in his power rankings that could have interest in Turner or Ware: the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He also mentioned the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks as potential suitors if they emerge as contenders.
