Bucks Predicted to Land $36 Million Former All-Star to Pair With Giannis

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 9:00 AM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks will presumably be looking to add help for forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.

On Thursday, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus predicted Milwaukee to consider signing former All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell.

"Russell is a talented scorer and capable shooter, but he has remained a journeyman throughout his career. The Nets may pay him simply to reach the minimum team salary (projected to be $139.2 million), but that might be designed to turn his contract around as a tradable asset," wrote Pincus.

"Otherwise, he's probably facing a pay cut, and if he can't get a team to give him the full NTMLE, he may have to settle for the TMLE with a team in need of a lead guard who can shoot the three."

Pincus concluded writing the Bucks could "step up with the best offer at the TMLE." The acronym stands for taxpayer mid-level exception.

Russell appeared to have a very bright NBA future when he made the league's All-Star team during the 2018-19 season. That campaign, he averaged 21.1 points, seven assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 43.4%.

19 minutes of 2019 D'Angelo Russell midrange game. https://t.co/L5uBh3gDpJ pic.twitter.com/Omm8v2pTcw
— i (@pgUNO_) June 20, 2025

But Russell hasn't been back to the All-Star Game since then.

Last season, he averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds per contest while playing 58 games with the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Russell perfectly split the season, dressing for 29 games with each team.

The guard has had multiple stints with both the Lakers and Nets. Russell has also played for the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves in his 10-year career.

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

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