Los Angeles Lakers Cut 7-Year NBA Vet to Clear Room for Major Addition

The Los Angeles Lakers announced Saturday that they have requested waivers on guard Shake Milton, ending his brief tenure with the team after 30 appearances during the 2024–25 season.

Milton, 27, was acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on December 29 and went on to average 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 11.5 minutes per game. His release comes as part of a broader cap-clearing effort to finalize the signing of veteran guard Marcus Smart.

Milton’s $3 million contract for the 2025–26 season was set to become fully guaranteed had he remained on the roster beyond July 20. The Lakers are also set to waive Jordan Goodwin to remain under the NBA’s first luxury tax apron and create space for Smart’s arrival.

Across the full 2024–25 season, Milton appeared in 57 games for both the Nets and Lakers, averaging 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field and 35.8% from three.

Originally selected 54th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks and traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, Milton has played 359 games (47 starts) over seven NBA seasons. His career averages stand at 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 18.7 minutes per contest. He has suited up for six teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Lakers.

Milton’s most productive stretch came in Philadelphia, where he once tied the NBA record for most consecutive made three-pointers (13) across a three-game span in March 2020. He also scored a career-high 39 points against the Clippers on March 1, 2020, and dished out a personal-best 16 assists in a game against the Hawks on April 7, 2023.

A standout at SMU, Milton earned Second-Team All-AAC honors in both 2017 and 2018 and was named to the AAC All-Rookie Team during his freshman season.

Now an unrestricted free agent, Milton will be free to sign with any team. Given his experience and proven ability to contribute off the bench, he could garner interest from contenders seeking depth or playmaking help.