Andre Jackson Jr. is heading north of the border to the Toronto Raptors, gunning for a roster spot to keep his NBA career alive, while Cole Anthony is making the massive jump across the pond to Australia’s Melbourne United. It’s a wild couple of moves for two guys who were just with the Bucks, and man, you gotta feel for Jackson as he battles for his spot.
A-Jax Heads North to Fight For It
Look, A-Jax was drafted as a second-round pick in 2023, and the buzz was he’d be this athletic wing stopper. That spot was absolutely there for the taking with the Bucks for the past three seasons, you know? And yeah, he showed flashes, like that stifling defense against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final. Plus, rumor has it his putback dunk against the Kings still sends ripples through Sacramento. Those are highlight plays, no doubt! But despite all that, he just couldn’t put it all together in Milwaukee. The numbers tell a story too: 172 games, averaging just 2.7 points, 2.1 boards, and 1.0 assists in 11.4 minutes per game. Now he’s with the Raptors, and the word is he’s competing for a roster spot. That’s real, raw, gotta prove it all over again stuff. You gotta respect the grind, right? This isn’t just a new team; it’s a fight for his NBA dreams.
Cole Anthony’s Leap Down Under
Now, Cole Anthony’s story is a whole other trip. This guy was Milwaukee’s reserve point guard to start last season, a welcome signing after a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. He was drafted 15th overall by the Orlando Magic back in 2020, so he’s got talent. And seriously, he started hot! That opening week and a half with the Bucks saw him put up 23 points and seven assists against the Toronto Raptors, then 16 points and two assists versus the Golden State Warriors in wins. He played 35 games for the Bucks, all off the bench, giving them 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 15.1 minutes. Not bad for a backup, right?
But then it just… faded. He couldn’t keep that early form going, and his minutes dwindled. By February, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside Amir Coffey in a three-team deal that brought Ousmane Dieng to the Bucks. And get this: 22 days later, Phoenix waived him. Talk about a rollercoaster! Now, he’s signed with Melbourne United in Australia’s NBL. He’s reportedly “super excited to begin this journey,” calling it a “great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship.” He’s ready to “get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans.” You gotta love the enthusiasm after that kind of rough patch.
So, what’s next for these guys? Jackson is fighting for his NBA life up in Toronto. Every practice, every minute on the court, is a chance to prove he belongs. For Anthony, it’s a fresh start, a chance to be a star in a new league, playing for a championship. We’ll be watching how these two former Bucks navigate their new chapters, for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Brew Hoop.
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