The New York Knicks, fresh off their 2026 NBA championship run, made a move Tuesday night that shows just how cutthroat this league can be. They signed 6-foot-10 former Philadelphia 76ers forward Igor Milicic Jr. at 7:48 p.m. to an Exhibit 10 deal, only to announce his waiving at 8:00 p.m. That’s a brutal 12-minute tenure in the big leagues, folks.
A Blink-and-You-Miss-It NBA Dream
Milicic Jr., a 24-year-old Pula, Croatia native, came into the pros after playing collegiately at Tennessee, Charlotte, and Virginia. He went undrafted in 2025, landing a free-agent deal with the 76ers. While he didn’t log any minutes in the big leagues as a rookie, he got some run in the G League. For the 76ers’ affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, Milicic Jr. appeared in 13 games. He averaged 6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 34.6% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc. The guy was out there grinding, trying to prove himself.
Back to the G League Grind?
Milicic Jr. reportedly believed he was set to compete for a roster spot with Mike Brown’s Knicks. But that lightning-fast decision from the organization makes it crystal clear: this young pro appears G-League bound for a second straight season. It’s a tough pill to swallow, no doubt. The good news is, if he sticks with the Westchester Knicks, New York’s G League affiliate, for at least 60 days, he’ll be eligible for an Exhibit 10 bonus. It’s not the bright lights of the NBA, but it’s a lifeline. This league truly demands thick skin and a relentless positive mindset to survive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply