Former Tennessee standout Nate Ament entered the 2026 NBA Draft widely projected as a first-round selection. While the only uncertainty surrounding his professional future was where he would be selected, the outcome placed him at the heart of one of the NBA’s most significant trades in recent years.
Ament was selected with the No. 13 overall pick during Tuesday night’s NBA Draft after initially being chosen by the Miami Heat. However, the selection was immediately tied to the blockbuster deal that sent two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to Miami in a franchise-altering move.
Although the trade had not yet been officially finalized at the time of the draft, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced moments after the selection that Ament’s draft rights had been acquired by the Bucks as part of the Antetokounmpo transaction. As a result, the former Volunteers star will begin his NBA career in Milwaukee despite technically being drafted by Miami.
The massive trade package saw the Heat acquire Antetokounmpo along with veteran forward Bobby Portis, while Milwaukee received a substantial return that included Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round draft picks—including the No. 13 selection used on Ament—a future pick swap, and a second-round pick.
With Antetokounmpo’s departure signaling the beginning of a new era in Milwaukee, the Bucks are expected to focus on developing a promising young core. Ament joins fellow first-round selection Brayden Burries, the Arizona guard taken with the No. 10 overall pick, as two of the franchise’s key building blocks for the future.
The transition to Milwaukee also carries an interesting Tennessee connection. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam, a prominent Tennessee supporter and donor, reportedly played an influential role in the organization’s decision-making process. According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor, Haslam was a “driving force” behind Milwaukee’s decision to accept Miami’s trade package over an alternative offer reportedly centered around Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown.
For Ament, the opportunity could hardly be greater. Arriving on a rebuilding roster presents the talented forward with a legitimate chance to earn meaningful minutes early in his NBA career and establish himself as one of the league’s rising young stars. As Milwaukee begins life after Antetokounmpo, Ament now finds himself in position to play a significant role in shaping the franchise’s future.
