Bucks wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. scores 22 in Milwaukee debut after no extension
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The gist
Bucks wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 22 points in his Milwaukee debut, a 128-116 loss at Washington.
He enters restricted free agency next offseason, so his role now shapes his market.
Background
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a 25-year-old guard/forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, acquired in the offseason deal that sent franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, alongside guard Tyler Herro. He entered the 2026-27 season without a rookie scale extension, meaning he will play out this season and become a restricted free agent next offseason. The Bucks opened the new season at Washington under first-year coach Taylor Jenkins, who previously coached the Memphis Grizzlies.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026The Bucks and Jaquez did not agree on a rookie scale extension by the league's 5 p.m. CT deadline, so he will play out 2026-27 and head into restricted free agency.
- Oct 21, 2026In the Bucks' 128-116 season-opening loss at Washington, Jaquez scored 22 points (8-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-6 FT) with seven rebounds, two assists and a three in 31 minutes.
- Oct 21, 2026Jaquez scored seven of Milwaukee's 13 first-quarter points, while the rest of the starters combined for 25 points, and he was the only Buck other than Jericho Sims (under two minutes) without a negative plus-minus.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- NBC Sports said Jaquez looked comfortable in Jenkins's offense and got easy buckets, with more usage available on a Bucks team lacking established stars than he had in Miami.
- Expert
- Brew Hoop graded his game a B, saying he was strong all game using his size in the paint, especially when Washington tried to hide Trae Young on him.
- Analysts
- Yahoo Sports/Bucks On SI wrote that Jaquez stepped up with a big game in his first game as a Buck and looks like the second option.