Bucks Could Waive Talented Young Guard To Create Roster Space After New Signing

The Milwaukee Bucks made an interesting move by signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a one-year, $2.9 million deal recently. While this deal had its benefits, as it solidified Giannis Antetokounmpo's commitment to the Bucks, it created another issue for the Bucks to address.

With Thanasis receiving a guaranteed roster spot, the Bucks will need to waive or move some players to trim their roster down to 15 players. Among the potential targets, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported that Andre Jackson Jr. could be on the list. He wrote:

"While the team has believed in his potential, the 23-year-old was on the trade block before last season's trade deadline, league sources told ClutchPoints. The Bucks were seeking two second-round picks in a trade for Jackson, but they never received an offer including more than one second-round pick."

"Since other organizations know that the Bucks need to clear a roster spot, it will be virtually impossible for them to receive value in return for a player like Jackson or another minimum-contract-like player. That is why Jackson is a potential player who could be waived by the Bucks after signing Antetokounmpo."

The 23-year-old guard has shown a lot of upside. Coming off his second season with the Bucks, Jackson Jr. presented potential as an athletic two-way player with playmaking ability. 

At 6'6" and 210lbs, the Bucks guard was known for leveraging his long wingspan and elite athleticism to contribute on both ends of the floor. His versatility as a defensive player could be considered his biggest asset, as he could comfortably guard multiple positions.

He thrived in transition situations to maximize his natural talents. As effective as he was while finishing at the rim, the guard also made use of defensive instincts to disrupt offenses.

His potential to become an elite wing player was only limited by his perimeter shooting ability. While his averages of 39.5% from three-point range still indicated some room to grow, the limited opportunities on offense didn't present a positive outlook.

For the 2024-25 season, the 23-year-old appeared in 67 games for the Bucks, even starting in 43. He moved into the starting lineup due to Gary Trent Jr.'s shortcomings as a perimeter threat early in the season. 

Given Milwaukee's slump to start the campaign, injecting Jackson Jr. into the starting lineup reinvigorated their efforts, resulting in a gradual turnaround.

Although he notched an average of only 3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 steals per game last season, it is important to note that he only played 14.6 minutes per game. Overall, he remained a valuable defensive asset, despite limited offensive contributions.

When examining the Bucks' roster, it is evident that they lack offensive firepower in their backcourt. The re-signing of Trent Jr. and the addition of Cole Anthony could address this. However, this limits the opportunity for Jackson Jr. to secure a roster spot.

It is unlikely that Milwaukee will waive him right away. With training camp coming up, the Bucks are likely to assess all the players to gauge who fits the team best. With recent additions like Amir Coffey also participating in the camp, several players will be competing for the remaining spots on the team's final roster.