Bucks have a player who could surprise the NBA in 2026

Brayden Burries gave the Milwaukee Bucks something they haven’t had enough of lately: a young player who immediately looked comfortable.

The No. 10 overall pick didn’t spend much time trying to find his footing during Summer League. He played with the kind of confidence that tends to stand out, especially from a rookie. Burries scored in a variety of ways, showing the 3-level ability that made him such an interesting prospect coming out of college.

He wasn’t just going after shots, either. There was a calmness to his game. He looked like a player who understood where he wanted to get on the floor and wasn’t bothered by the moment.

That doesn’t mean the NBA will make things easy.

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Summer League has a funny way of making everyone look a little more polished than they really are. The pace is different. The defensive attention isn’t quite the same. But there are still things you can learn from watching a young player handle himself, and Burries checked a lot of boxes.

The Bucks are counting on young players stepping forward after a major roster reset, and Burries could find himself with a real opportunity early. Milwaukee needs scoring. It needs athleticism. It also needs players who can grow into bigger roles rather than simply filling gaps.

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Burries feels different because of where he was drafted and what Milwaukee needs from him.

The rookie doesn’t have to be the finished product right away. Nobody expects that. But if his Summer League performance was any indication, he won’t be walking into the season wondering whether he belongs. He already answered that question. Now he gets to see how far he can take it.