Milwaukee is being positioned as a potential trade-up candidate for Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Evan Sidery on Thursday, June 11.
Sidery reported that Acuff completed a private workout in Milwaukee last week and “blew away team officials,” escalating internal interest in his draft range profile.
The report adds a conditional draft scenario tied to Milwaukee’s future assets. Sidery noted that if Giannis Antetokounmpo is traded to the Miami Heat, the Bucks could enter the lottery with multiple picks, giving them flexibility to move up the board for a top guard prospect such as Acuff. Milwaukee currently holds the No. 10 pick in the 2026 first round.
Acuff’s college production at Arkansas places him among the most productive guards in the class. The freshman averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 36 starts, shooting 48.4% from the field, 44.0% from three-point range, and 80.9% from the free-throw line. His combination of shot creation and perimeter efficiency has kept him in the upper tier of guard evaluations entering the draft.
Milwaukee’s roster context highlights why a lead ball-handler remains a key evaluation point. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in 36 appearances, while Kevin Porter Jr. posted 17.4 points and 7.4 assists across 38 games. Ryan Rollins added 17.3 points and 5.6 assists over 74 games, reflecting a rotation that leaned on multiple initiators throughout a 32-50 season.
The Bucks finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and missed the postseason, ranking outside the play-in field after a 21-31 conference record. That placement secured Milwaukee the No. 10 pick, but the reported trade-up pathway would depend on draft-night positioning and asset availability across the lottery.
League-wide competition for Acuff is expected to be significant. The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick, followed by the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets selecting ahead of Milwaukee. Sacramento at No. 7 has also been linked to Acuff.
The broader draft picture includes several high-profile guard prospects such as Darryn Peterson, Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler, creating multiple alternatives if Acuff moves off the board before Milwaukee’s selection.
With the 2026 NBA Draft set for June 23-24 in Brooklyn, Milwaukee’s decision-making window is tightening as front offices finalize trade-up thresholds and evaluate top-tier guard availability.
