Cole Anthony has reached a buyout agreement with the Grizzlies, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN, who adds that Anthony plans to sign with the Bucks once he clears waivers.
Anthony, who was acquired from Orlando in last month’s Desmond Bane trade, has an expiring $12.9MM contract. Charania doesn’t say how much money Anthony is giving up in the buyout, but it’s expected to be similar to whatever salary he gets in Milwaukee, likely a veteran’s minimum contract for one year.
When the move becomes official, Memphis will be able to use cap room to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s contract, per Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). Once that happens, the Grizzlies can officially re-sign forward Santi Aldama and finalize their deal with free agent guard Ty Jerome.
Selected with the 15th pick in the 2020 draft, Anthony spent his first five NBA seasons with the Magic. He had been a consistent double-digit scorer throughout his career, but his playing time decreased last season and his scoring average dropped to 9.4 PPG.
The addition of Anthony will give Milwaukee 14 standard contracts. That includes Andre Jackson, whose deal won’t become fully guaranteed until opening night.
Did not see this coming…
Great news for the Bucks.
Good Sign
So many buyouts. Anthony is on a reasonable contract. Those don’t usually get bought out. Nice pickup for the bucks.
The Grizz already have Morant and Jerome at PG. I imagine he’ll start for the Bucks.
Given the fact Morants availability is constantly in flux for a variety of reasons you’d think the Grizz would hold onto Anthony and have a Jerome and Anthony contingency plan. Guess not.
they can’t resign JJJ and sign jerome with anthony still on the roster.
I would have done a buyout with KCP who’s 32 making 21 mill instead and has a player option instead of Anthony who’s 25 making 13 mill and has a club option but that’s just me
Making 13M to be the 3rd string PG. He’s also not that good, hasn’t improved in 4 years.
Always been a Cole fan and really hope he has a good season. Seems like he has the right people around him because being a third choice in Memphis to a possible starter on a contender in Milwaukee is a great decision to switch.
Guessing the Bucks look set to miss out on CP3 and Beal in that case.
Beal to Clippers and CP3 to suns in my guess
CP3 to Atlanta as a back-up for Trae Young would be a pretty solid get for the Hawks, and CP3 could play for a potential contender in the wide open Eastern Conference.
Outside of an emergency from Kobe Bufkin, the Hawks do not currently have any quality options at the back-up PG spot.
They could probably get away with using Bufkin and then allowing some combo of Daniels and NA-W to take some of the lead guard duties when Trae sits.
Still, though, the Hawks need to keep Trae healthy if they plan to make a playoff run, so they’ll need to get an experienced PG they can trust to run the offense, so Trae can get plenty of rest.
Not happening he wants to be close to LA
How far from LA do you think Phoenix is?
1hr 30 min flight …….
Half that
Closer than Atlanta that’s for sure hahah
I’m amazed none of these teams can work out a trade instead of eating the dead money.
He’s overpaid by like 8M. Not many teams out there that don’t have both PG jobs filled.
Cole has some offensive skill; good ballhandler with some real ability to create his own shot. But he’s not a great shooter or facilitator, and I don’t think he is really a starting PG. His highest and best is as a scorer off the bench.
At 25, he’d have been a better signing for the NYK than Clarkson, who has a similar game. Obviously, it’s too late, although (despite his roots) I doubt he’d have come to the NYK for minimum vs going to MIL for minimum, since they can offer at least a chance to start.
That’s a huge move for Milwaukee, if it pans out that way.
Milwaukee isn’t going to be the last team trying to keep superstars at home with these creative strategies. They are one of the first to have to be so, under the CBA. It’s going to be commonplace to see these stretched buyouts soon, as these huge long term deals for aging players facing age, injuries and ineffectiveness, press against the cap aprons and handcuff GMs in free agency and trade markets.
Milwaukee has a competitive roster in the east, but Doc Rivers has to unlock the Kuzma that we saw in 2022-2024. I’m not convinced Doc is a good enough coach to do that.
He’ll thrive in Milwaukee.
Thiannis is #15.
I’m shocked to see that his playing time was reduced last year. They had so many injuries it seemed like every game i saw he was single handedly keeping the Magic in the game. Great player.
Nice move for Bucks. Have to give them credit they are trying. Now Anthony gets a chance to start. Opportunity …….