Hoops Wire

Category: Bucks

Latest Milwaukee Bucks Rumors and News.

  • Bucks Don’t Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo To Request Trade

    Bucks Don’t Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo To Request Trade

    NBA, Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
    John Fisher/Getty Images

    NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to a Milwaukee Bucks front office executive about Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

    After the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo was “open-minded” about leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. 

    However, the Bucks don’t expect Antetokounmpo to request a trade. 

    “We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world,” the Bucks front office executive said. “We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done.”

    Milwaukee waived and stretched Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner. The organization also re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims and signed Gary Harris. 

    The Bucks did lose Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers. Pat Connaughton was also traded to the Charlotte Hornets. 

    “When we signed Brook forever ago, it was because we knew adding a floor spacer that could protect the rim next to Giannis would make us hard to deal with on both ends,” a Bucks coach said. “We’re doing the same with Myles. He’s not exactly the same as Brook, but we don’t have to completely change our identity with Myles either. That’s huge for continuity.”

    The Bucks reached the mountain top in 2021, winning the championship against the Phoenix Suns. However, the franchise has won just one postseason series since then. 

    Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks. He was the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. 

    One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed the forward to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks with the Bucks. 

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  • NBA Notes: Pistons, Bulls, Matas Buzelis, Bucks, Taurean Prince

    NBA Notes: Pistons, Bulls, Matas Buzelis, Bucks, Taurean Prince

    Matas Buzelis, Bulls, NBA
    File photo

    Pistons

    The Pistons still have some unfinished business this offseason, per Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

    With Simone Fontecchio no longer on the roster, Detroit could use another proven floor-spacer at power forward. Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland may get opportunities behind Tobias Harris, though both are considered undersized for that spot.

    The Pistons do have a $14.3 million trade exception stemming from the Dennis Schroder sign-and-trade with the Kings. While it could be used in a number of ways, there’s no immediate urgency, as the exception doesn’t expire until next summer.

    Detroit is also expected to work on rookie scale extensions with starters Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey.

     — Meanwhile, new acquisition Duncan Robinson, who arrived via sign-and-trade with the Heat, told The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson that his focus is as much mental as it is physical. “Having resilience has been, sort of, the calling card of who I aspire to be,” Robinson said. “I’m a big believer in that, learning how to deal with setbacks and challenges is a skill as much as shooting or dribbling.”

    Bucks

    Veteran forward Taurean Prince waived his implied no-trade clause as part of his new deal with the Bucks, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

    Prince signed a two-year, veteran’s minimum contract earlier this month. The second year includes a player option, and if Prince is traded and opts out, he would lose his Early Bird rights. That gave him the implied ability to veto a trade, but he has chosen to waive it.

    Bulls

    Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is expected to take on more playmaking duties in his second season, including initiating the offense, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune.

    Buzelis began to get a feel for the role during Summer League play, as the Bulls drew up plays with him in mind as a creator.

    “Being a primary, secondary ball handler is like second nature to me,” Buzelis said. “I used to play (point guard) when I was younger, so it’s not really anything new to me. I think it’s just going to get better with time.”

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  • Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Set To Play For Greece At EuroBasket

    Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Set To Play For Greece At EuroBasket

    NBA star star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
    File photo

    Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is officially suiting up for Greece at EuroBasket, FIBA announced Thursday.

    Antetokounmpo was already named to the national team’s 19-man preliminary roster, but this confirms he’s back to represent his home country, something he’s done regularly since 2014. He’s played in 37 official games with the senior team across multiple FIBA tournaments.

    He was the top scorer at EuroBasket 2022, averaging 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists, but Greece was eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinals. A year later, it was a similar result at the Olympics  — huge numbers (25.8 ppg) from Antetokounmpo, and another early exit at the hands of Germany.

    Milwaukee, meanwhile, is hoping all this international action helps keep their franchise star sharp. Antetokounmpo was dominant in the playoffs to the tune of 33 points, 15.4 boards, and 6.6 assists. But the Bucks were still bounced in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.

    Team president Peter Feigin recently said the organization is in a “good place” with its superstar. That’s notable, considering all the noise about Giannis’ future this summer.

    Now, with EuroBasket on deck and a new Bucks season about three months away, the focus shifts to whether Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee can finally break through again.

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  • Bucks Front Office Exec Talks Waiving Damian Lillard, Seeing Him Sign With Trail Blazers

    Bucks Front Office Exec Talks Waiving Damian Lillard, Seeing Him Sign With Trail Blazers

    Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA
    Amanda Loman/Getty Images

    NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac caught up with a Milwaukee Bucks exec at Summer League in Las Vegas and the two talked about Damian Lillard. 

    The Bucks waived Lillard, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

    “That was really, really hard. Dame is such a great player and we’re all thrilled that he landed back home in Portland,” the Bucks front office executive said. “It’s also hard to take that kind of cap hit in immovable salary for a long time. But when you have Giannis (Antetokounmpo), you have to be willing to do what it takes to win and maximize your time with him.”

    Damian Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Bucks in 131 games in the regular season. He tore his left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs and will miss all of next season. 

    Milwaukee waived and stretched Lillard, who was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons with the Bucks. That amount will be stretched over the next five seasons.

    A future Hall of Famer, Lillard will make $70 million next season from the Bucks and Trail Blazers. The veteran holds 17 Portland franchise records and gets to be around his children while he rehabs his left leg injury. 

    Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

    Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers. 

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  • NBA Rumors: Celtics, Bucks, Malcolm Brogdon, Warriors, Nikola Vucevic

    NBA Rumors: Celtics, Bucks, Malcolm Brogdon, Warriors, Nikola Vucevic

    Georges Niang, Hawks, NBA
    File photo

    Celtics

    The Celtics remain active on the trade market as they try to get their roster younger and cheaper, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line and Bleacher Report. He reported that Boston had trade discussions with the Grizzlies last week, though no further details were offered.

    Rival teams believe the Celtics are looking to move both guard Anfernee Simons and forward Georges Niang, as Hoops Wire relayed. Simons is on the books for $27.7 million next season, while Niang will earn $8.2 million. Both are in the final year of their respective deals.

    Simons was acquired from the Trail Blazers on draft night as part of the Jrue Holiday trade. He and Niang could now be on the move again as Boston reshapes its roster following a second-round playoff loss to the Knicks.

    That series ended in six games after star forward Jayson Tatum suffered a torn right Achilles in Game 4. He is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season.

    Bucks

    Elsewhere, Fischer noted that while the Bucks are unlikely to pursue veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon after signing Cole Anthony, there is still plenty of interest in Brogdon around the league.

    The Kings, Pelicans, Timberwolves and Warriors were all mentioned as potential suitors. Brogdon appeared in just 24 games for the Wizards last season.

    Warriors

    As for the Warriors, Fischer said he doesn’t believe they have enough interest in Bulls center Nikola Vucevic to make him the centerpiece of a sign-and-trade involving forward Jonathan Kuminga. Vucevic has an expiring contract, but Golden State is reportedly looking elsewhere to fill its need at stretch five, with veteran Al Horford a known target.

    Chicago is among the teams to express interest in Kuminga, but according to Fischer, the most likely outcome is that he stays with the Warriors on a short-term deal.

  • Bucks Made Bold Move In Adding Myles Turner, But Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Still Feels Shaky

    Bucks Made Bold Move In Adding Myles Turner, But Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Still Feels Shaky

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, NBA, Nets
    File photo

    It was a stunning same-day move that no one saw coming. Damian Lillard was out. Myles Turner was in. And the Milwaukee Bucks made it clear they’re continuing to chase the form that delivered an NBA championship in 2021.

    But is Turner enough? Will his presence move the needle and convince Giannis Antetokounmpo that this is the place to be? ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is among those who seemingly aren’t so sure.

    “You definitely have to applaud the Bucks for doing everything they possibly could to good players around Giannis,” Windhorst said in a Threads video. “My thing is it cost the Bucks about $200 million — $113 that they’re gonna spend on Dame over the next five years, they’re gonna have to pay it over five years, and $107 million that they’re going to spend on Myles Turner. And my belief is it’s not a $200 million upgrade.”

    Antetokounmpo hasn’t said much about remaining with the Bucks, but he definitely hasn’t so much as hinted at a desire to leave, either. Word around the NBA is that his preference is to remain with the franchise. But again, there’s really no clarity.

    “You don’t have Giannis doing backflips and saying I’m absolutely going to be here,” Windhorst said. “You’ve got him saying probably. Now, ‘probably’ is worth a lot, but ideally, if you’re going to go through that type of move (for Turner) and you’re going to encumber yourself for the rest of the decade with your salary cap, you’re going to want it to be such a significant upgrade that Giannis leaving is totally taken off the table.

    “I don’t know what’s gonna happen there, but ‘I don’t know’ is not what you’re looking for when you do something that’s so aggressive.”

    Lillard has since returned to the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency, signaling the end of a failed partnership. The Bucks made the deal hoping he would be the final piece. Instead, it ended with Milwaukee falling to Turner and the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

    That marked the third straight first-round exit for the Bucks, following a semifinal appearance in 2022 and the title run the year before. The brief Lillard era now officially goes down as a bust.

    Milwaukee also signed former Magic guard Cole Anthony, who was briefly traded to Memphis in the Desmond Bane deal before being waived. He joins a backcourt that includes Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr., both of whom are still trying to carve out roles under Doc Rivers.

    Other holdovers include forwards Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, and guard Ryan Rollins. It’s a roster with plenty of names, but one that still feels like it’s searching for cohesion.

    Antetokounmpo remains the constant. But even that feels a little shakier than usual.

  • NBA Notes: Bucks, Cole Anthony, Suns, Bulls

    NBA Notes: Bucks, Cole Anthony, Suns, Bulls

    Cole Anthony. Magic, Celtics, NBA
    File photo

    Bucks

    Bucks general manager Jon Horst is bullish on newly signed guard Cole Anthony, telling The Athletic’s Eric Nehm that the former Magic and Grizzlies guard could be a seamless fit in Milwaukee’s system, especially playing off Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    “He’s electric with the ball, a very capable shooter,” Horst said. “I think he can be one of the guys that you’ve seen year in and year out come into our system and get a higher dose of better shot quality… I think he could have a huge shooting year, which would be massive for him and us.”

    Anthony was waived by Memphis earlier this week and quickly scooped up by the Bucks. Horst also praised the former UNC standout’s swagger and energy, comparing him to a fan-favorite big man.

    “He’s just got an edge to him,” Horst added. “I hope he takes this as an affectionate thing… I think he’s like a guard version of Bobby Portis. I think he can bring so much swag and energy to our team.”

    Suns

    A new era is taking shape in Phoenix.

    With Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant no longer in town, the Suns are reshaping their roster around Devin Booker and a younger, more athletic supporting cast that now includes Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams, top pick Khaman Maluach, and second-rounder Rasheer Fleming.

    The shift signals a philosophical pivot under team owner Mat Ishbia, at least on paper. As Gerald Bourguet of Go PHNX points out, patience may not come naturally for Ishbia, who has shown a tendency to move quickly when results lag behind expectations.

    “When I make a mistake or things don’t go well, I change fast,” Ishbia said. “We make quick moves, and I’m not afraid to do that… Patience isn’t gonna be my strongest suit.”

    Still, he left the door open for a longer-term plan if things appear aligned.

    “I’m very patient if I think we’re on the right path and plan,” he added. “Let’s just say we lost more games next year, but it was aligned… then we’re gonna go that way.”

    Bulls

    Free agent point guard Yuki Kawamura has agreed to a two-way deal with Chicago, the team announced.

    In order to make room, the Bulls waived Jahmir Young. Kawamura joins Emanuel Miller and second-round pick Lachlan Olbrich as the three two-way players in Chicao.

    Kawamura, 24, spent last season on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies after several standout years in Japan. The 5-foot-8 guard played sparingly in the NBA, logging just 93 minutes across 22 games, but carved out a significant role with the Memphis Hustle in the G League.

    In 31 G League games, Kawamura averaged 12.7 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, while shooting 36.5 percent from deep and 76 percent from the line.

  • Damian Lillard ‘Was Not Happy In Milwaukee,’ Never Wanted To Get Traded To Bucks

    Damian Lillard ‘Was Not Happy In Milwaukee,’ Never Wanted To Get Traded To Bucks

    Damian Lillard “was not happy in Milwaukee” and never wanted to get traded to the Bucks, according to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.

    When Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, he wanted to land with the Miami Heat. However, Portland and Miami couldn’t agree to a deal. 

    The Bucks acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in 2023. Lillard spent two seasons in Milwaukee and was never himself off the court since he was away from his family. 

    “Also, he was not happy in Milwaukee,” Fentress said. “He didn’t want to go there in the first place. He wanted to go to Miami. He relented and went to Milwaukee because his agent talked him into it.”

    Lillard averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Bucks. He tore his left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs and will miss all of next season. 

    Milwaukee waived and stretched Lillard, who was slated to make $113 million over the next two seasons with the Bucks. That amount will be stretched over the next five seasons.

    Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers. He gets to be around his kids while rehabbing his injury. 

    A future Hall of Famer, Lillard will make $70 million next season from the Bucks and Trail Blazers. The veteran holds 17 Portland franchise records. 

    Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

    Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers. 

  • NBA Trade Idea Sends Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo To Hawks

    NBA Trade Idea Sends Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo To Hawks

    One NBA analyst proposed that the Atlanta Hawks trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    Connor Thoms of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Hawks and Bucks:

    Atlanta Hawks get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Milwaukee Bucks get: Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Kobe Bufkin, four first-round picks + pick swap

    After the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo was “open-minded” about leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. 

    Since that report came out, the Bucks have waived and stretched Damian Lillard, signed Myles Turner and Gary Harris and re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims. 

    Even in a wide-open Eastern Conference, the Bucks don’t look like a title contender on paper, which is why some people around the NBA believe Antetokounmpo could still request a trade this offseason.

    This trade idea would pair Antetokounmpo with All-Stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis in Atlanta. That’s a lethal “Big 3” on paper. 

    Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks. He was the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. 

    Milwaukee reached the promised land in 2021, winning the championship against the Phoenix Suns. However, the franchise has won only one postseason series since then. 

    The Bucks lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2022 playoffs, the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs and the Pacers in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs. 

    Antetokounmpo made the All-NBA First Team last season. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks in 67 games.  

    One of the top players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed The Greek Freak to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

    Antetokounmpo will make the Hall of Fame one day. He’s a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star with career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks with the Bucks. 

  • NBA Notes: Clippers, Bradley Beal, Suns, Nets, Terance Mann, Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr.

    NBA Notes: Clippers, Bradley Beal, Suns, Nets, Terance Mann, Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr.

    Bradley Beal, Suns, NBA, Clippers
    File photo

    Clippers

    New Clippers guard Bradley Beal’s departure from the Suns wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

    Buyout negotiations between Beal and Phoenix got “heated,” according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, with the two sides initially struggling to agree on just how much money Beal would leave on the table to make the deal work under league rules.

    In the end, Beal agreed to give up $13.9 million, the minimum required to make the buyout legal. That allowed Phoenix to execute a waive-and-stretch provision on the remainder of his contract, turning a $99 million payout into five years of $20 million cap hits.

    The Suns had reportedly hoped for more.

    “Talks went back and forth and got heated, sources said,” Windhorst wrote. “Ultimately, Beal left the least amount possible to make the waiver work, to the penny.”

    Beal will now sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers, joining a core that includes James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Ivica Zubac.

    The former Wizards star appeared in 106 games with the Suns, averaging 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Phoenix went 55-51 with him in the lineup, but fell flat in the 2024 playoffs (0-4) and missed the postseason entirely in 2025.

    Beal, a three-time All-Star, has career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Neither he nor the Clippers have reached the NBA Finals. That, of course, is the hope.

    Nets

    Guard Terance Mann is ready for a new chapter, as in one where he’s no longer the young guy in the locker room.

    Acquired by the Nets from the Hawks as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, Mann is expected to help lead a rebuilding Brooklyn group loaded with rookies and younger players. The Nets’ real motivation in the deal was to snag an extra first-round pick, which they used on forward Drake Powell.

    Mann, 27, is now the oldest player on the roster.

    “It’s definitely new for me coming from the Clippers, where guys were a lot older than me,” he told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “But I’m excited to embrace the journey, taking these guys under my wing, showing them how to be professionals.”

    Mann has three years and $47 million left on his contract. He appeared in 67 games combined for the Clippers and Hawks last season.

    Bucks

    The NBA has wrapped up its investigation into Kevin Porter Jr.’s domestic violence incident from September 2023. The result? A four-game suspension.

    But Porter won’t actually miss any games.

    Per The Athletic’s Law Murray, the league determined that Porter effectively served the suspension during his full-season absence in 2023–24. He was waived by the Thunder shortly after being traded there from the Rockets. He later hooked up with the Clippers before Milwaukee acquired him in February.

    Porter re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year contract at the start of free agency. He averaged 11.7 points in 30 games with the Bucks.

    Porter was arrested in September 2023 following an altercation with his then-girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. He was initially charged with felony counts of assault and strangulation.

    In January 2024, Porter reached a plea deal in Manhattan Criminal Court, agreeing to reckless assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, and harassment in the second degree, a violation.

    Several weeks after the arrest, Gondrezick publicly disputed how prosecutors had described the incident. In comments to The New York Post, she said Porter “never balled his fists up and hit me” and “definitely didn’t punch me in the face numerous times.”

  • NBA Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat, Terry Rozier, Knicks, Josh Hart

    NBA Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat, Terry Rozier, Knicks, Josh Hart

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks, NBA rumors
    File photo

    Bucks

    Bucks GM Jon Horst said he envisions Giannis Antetokounmpo playing even more of a point forward role next season. So yeah, that probably indicates that the Bucks believe Antetokounmpo will return.

    “I feel like we’ve always played with a certain type of guard,” Horst said in an interview with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Typically a guard that’s willing to catch and shoot, a guard that is capable of being a primary play-maker, but doesn’t need to be a primary play-maker.

    “And I think some of our best teams that we’ve ever had — and we’ve had a lot of great teams — we had guys at the guard spot in that mold. They can really shoot. They’re capable and willing defenders, and they could go five, six, seven possessions and just play off Giannis, or they can go five, six, seven possessions and they can initiate our offense.

    “And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We tried to build a team like that this offseason. Take the opportunity for Giannis to go even further down that road. I would say we’ve always doubled down on it, maybe we’re tripling down or quadrupling down on it now.”

    Heat

    Heat guard Terry Rozier has not been cleared by federal investigators as part of their ongoing probe into illegal sports betting, according to Tom Haberstroh on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.

    Rozier’s name surfaced amid a broader investigation that includes Malik Beasley and Jontay Porter, with the latter having already been banned for life by the NBA.

    This latest update contradicts a previous suggestion from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who appeared to indicate Rozier had been cleared during a June segment on The Pat McAfee Show. However, Charania’s comment was brief and offhand, and never formally followed up in a report, leaving room for doubt.

    NBA insider Chris Haynes confirmed Haberstroh’s report, writing that Rozier “has not been cleared of any wrongdoing and remains under federal investigation.”

    Rozier, 30, played in 64 games for Miami last season, his first full year with the team after being acquired from Charlotte in 2024. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.9 minutes per game. He remains under contract through 2025–26, when he’s set to earn approximately $26.6 million in the final year of his deal.

    Knicks

    Knicks guard Josh Hart has undergone surgery to repair an injury to his right ring finger, the team announced Tuesday.

    The 6-foot-4 veteran initially sustained the injury during New York’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals, per the team. He is expected to resume basketball activities later this summer.

    Hart, 30, has become a vital piece of the Knicks’ core since arriving from Portland in 2023, known for his versatility, toughness and team-first approach. A Villanova product and close friend of Jalen Brunson, Hart stepped into a full-time starting role for the first time last season and delivered across the board.

    In 77 games during the 2024–25 season, he averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals.

  • Knicks Won’t Sign Mikal Bridges To Extension Until They Know Giannis Antetokounmpo Is 100% Staying With Bucks

    Knicks Won’t Sign Mikal Bridges To Extension Until They Know Giannis Antetokounmpo Is 100% Staying With Bucks

    The New York Knicks won’t sign Mikal Bridges to an extension until they know Giannis Antetokounmpo is 100% staying with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

    Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade from the Bucks, but if he does, the Knicks will pursue the future Hall of Famer. 

    “With the Knicks and all the other teams kind of keeping an eye on Milwaukee and what may or may not happen there, I think one of the reasons why he (Bridges) has not been extended yet is because once you extend him, you cannot trade him for six months,” Ian Begley of SNY said on The Putback. “And I think until the Giannis stuff is fully settled, and I don’t think it’s fully settled yet, as much as I’m sure Bucks fans hate to hear that because I would hate to hear that if I was a Bucks fan, but I don’t think it’s fully settled yet.

    “And so as teams continue to keep an eye on that, continue to at least plan with that somewhere in the back of their mind, I think that’s why you haven’t seen Bridges extended yet. When he does extend, I think that would tell you Giannis is put to bed, is off the table in a sense.”

    Bridges is eligible to sign an extension with the Knicks. The max is four years, $156 million.

    The Knicks made the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

    Tom Thibodeau was fired as head coach despite going 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and winning the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. He was replaced by Mike Brown. 

    Milwaukee reached the mountain top in 2021, winning the championship against the Phoenix Suns. However, the franchise has won just one postseason series since then. 

    After the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo was open-minded about leaving Milwaukee. 

  • Bucks Officially Sign Cole Anthony

    Bucks Officially Sign Cole Anthony

    Cole Anthony, NBA, Magic, Bucks
    File photo

    The Milwaukee Bucks have officially signed guard Cole Anthony, the team announced in a press release.

    Anthony, 25, was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Orlando Magic’s deal for Desmond Bane. He agreed to a contract buyout with Memphis and was subsequently waived.

    It is believed he will receive a one-year deal, though how much remains unclear. The Bucks had $3.65 million to spare via their room exception.

    Milwaukee has had an active offseason and it could do a lot worse than Anthony, who spent his first five NBA seasons with the Magic. 

    That said, his role was reduced significantly last season, when he compiled career lows in minutes (18.4) and points (9.4), as well as several other areas. Before that, though, he was relied on by the Magic fairly regularly — with career averages of 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.

    Anthony will join former Magic guard Gary Harris presumably as a backcourt reserve with the Bucks, as Harris was signed at the start of the free agency period. Milwaukee has also added center Myles Turner, while waiving star guard Damian Lillard, among its many offseason moves around the edges of the roster.

    Holdovers Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, both re-signed this summer, also figure to play a regular role in the guard rotation.

    Anthony became the odd man out in Memphis when it was revealed the Grizzlies were signing former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome.

    Anthony is the son of former NBA guard and current analyst Greg Anthony.

    RELATED | Grizzlies star Morant ‘shocked’ by Bane trade

  • Bucks Re-Signing Chris Livingston, One Of Two Akron Products On Summer Roster

    Bucks Re-Signing Chris Livingston, One Of Two Akron Products On Summer Roster

    Chris Livingston, NBA, Bucks
    File photo

    He’s just another kid from Akron and he’s getting a guaranteed contract from the Milwaukee Bucks. And Chris Livingston‘s new deal is coming shortly after he was waived.

    Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Livingston is receiving a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.3 million contract. Charania cited agents Rich Paul and Brandon Cavanaugh of Klutch Sports in his report.

    Livingston is one of two Akron natives who have started for Milwaukee’s Summer League team this month, joining Pete Nance (Revere High School). Nance ended last season on a two-way deal with the Bucks. Both Livingston and Nance, of course, hail from the same hometown as Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

    Livingston, still just 21 years old, played high school basketball at Buchtel High School and Western Reserve Academy, as well as Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. He entered the pros after one season at Kentucky, selected by the Bucks with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

    Appearing in 21 games with Milwaukee in each of the past two seasons, Livingston carries career averages of 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 40.8 percent shooting.

    He fared particularly well with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd this past season, compiling averages of 18.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 18 games.

    Milwaukee has been active this offseason, with its biggest move being the signing of former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

    The Bucks waived All-Star guard Damian Lillard as part of that transaction. Lillard has yet to find a new hoops home after suffering a major Achilles injury in the playoffs.