On June 22 the Milwaukee Bucks sent two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. In return Milwaukee received a cluster of young players on rookie contracts and, crucially, the Heat’s No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 draft. The Bucks already owned the No. 10 selection, giving them two lottery tickets as they begin a post-Giannis rebuild.

In a separate three-team deal, the Minnesota Timberwolves moved Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets and handed the Nets Minnesota’s No. 28 overall pick. That pick sits just outside the lottery but still provides a solid chance to add a high-upside prospect. Combined with a second first-rounder acquired in earlier trades, Brooklyn now controls two 2026 first-round picks.

Draft analyst Derek Parker’s final mock for the Bucks paired Arizona freshman Brayden Burries with Tennessee forward Nate Ament. Burries posted 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a freshman, shooting 49.1 % from the field and 39.1 % from three-point range. Ament offers length and defensive versatility on the wing. Both prospects fit a Bucks roster that now features guards Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis, suggesting the club may look to add another scoring guard and a versatile wing.

Milwaukee’s strategy reflects a front office that prefers long-term flexibility after trading its star. By stockpiling picks rather than chasing marquee free agents, the Bucks can shape a younger core around the assets they have acquired. The Heat’s decision to move Giannis for draft capital aligns with Miami’s pattern of reshaping its roster through asset accumulation.

For Brooklyn, the No. 28 slot provides a tangible option to either draft a promising wing or flip the pick for a player who can fill immediate needs. The second first-rounder remains a valuable trade chip as the Nets continue to shift toward a draft-focused rebuild. How each franchise leverages its 2026 selections will likely define its competitive window for the next several years.