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NBA·TRANSACTION·July 4, 2026 11:12 AM ET

Bucks coach Jenkins, assistant GM Newton flying to Italy to meet Kasparas Jakucionis

Milwaukee moves fast to bond with its new point guard.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 41 min read
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What happened: Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins and assistant GM Milt Newton will travel to Bologna, Italy, to formally introduce themselves to newly acquired guard Kasparas Jakucionis, according to BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas. The 20-year-old is currently with Lithuania's senior national team as it pushes to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. The trip is expected to last less than 24 hours, even though the two sides would meet within a week at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Why it matters: The whirlwind visit signals how central Jakucionis is to Milwaukee's rebuild — he was reportedly a key sticking point in the Giannis trade, and the front office is prioritizing the relationship immediately. Jakucionis admitted the deal came as a shock but said he views the retooling Bucks as a good fit, citing the young roster and the opportunity in front of him.

What to watch: The Bucks open California Classic Summer League play today at 2:00 p.m. CDT against the Golden State Warriors, while Jakucionis continues World Cup qualifying with Lithuania before joining the team in Las Vegas.

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