Bucks Abruptly Cut Ties With 21-Year-Old Amid NBA Free Agency Moves: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sahil Goswami | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 1:27 PM ET

With the NBA free agency chaos heating up, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks are having to make difficult decisions. These include cutting ties with young players, locking in key veterans, and exploring trade possibilities to reshape the roster.

With pressure mounting to make every roster spot count around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the franchise is revamping the roster in recent days.

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto , the Bucks are waiving 21-year-old forward Chris Livingston before his $2.22 million salary becomes guaranteed on July 15.

A second-round pick in 2023 who played for the Kentucky Wildcats, Livingston signed a four-year, $7.7 million deal, the largest ever for a No. 58 pick.

The first two years were fully guaranteed, but now the Bucks are opting to move on before the third season.

Livingston played just 42 games across two seasons for Milwaukee, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in limited minutes.

Most of his development came with the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, where he averaged 18 points and 7.9 rebounds last season. Despite flashes of promise, Milwaukee did not see enough to justify keeping him on the books.

NBA analyst Jake Weinbach reported: “I would expect the Bucks to re-sign Ryan Rollins following the Chris Livingston waiver,” noting that Rollins impressed when Damian Lillard was sidelined.

I would expect the Bucks to re-sign Ryan Rollins following the Chris Livingston waiver.

Rollins was an unforeseen bright spot in the absence of Damian Lillard last season. Bucks officials think highly of the 22-year-old guard. https://t.co/bz3BegnNIX
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) July 3, 2025

The decision to waive Livingston may seem abrupt, but it reflects Milwaukee’s urgent need to stay competitive around Antetokounmpo, making ever roster spot count. With only a narrow window to chase another title, every move matters with the superstar watching the team's offseason decisions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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