The Bucks signed combo guard Iverson Molinar to a contract on Friday and waived him on Saturday, according to RealGM’s official NBA transaction log.
Molinar, who went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2022, spent his first professional season with the Wisconsin Herd. He averaged 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 22.4 minutes per game across 23 regular season appearances with Milwaukee’s G League affiliate in 2022/23.
Since Molinar played for the team last season, the Herd will hold his returning rights, so the Bucks’ decision to sign and waive him wasn’t related to securing his G League rights. Instead, it was likely about making sure he earns a bonus for returning to the NBAGL club in 2023/24.
It’s safe to assume that Molinar received an Exhibit 10 contract, which will put him in line to receive a bonus worth up to $75K if he spends at least 60 days with the Herd this season. Those Exhibit 10 bonuses typically exceed the full-season G League salary, so they provide a good incentive to get a player to stick with an NBAGL affiliate rather than seeking out an opportunity in an international league.
Molinar temporarily filled the Bucks’ 21st and final offseason roster spot, but the club’s roster count is back down to 20 following his release. Milwaukee also recently signed and waived Alex Antetokounmpo, who figures to return to the Herd too.