The Milwaukee Bucks are staring down a massive roster problem, and they have to make some brutal calls *fast*. Right now, they’re carrying 17 standard contracts, but the NBA only lets teams roster 15. That means General Manager Jon Horst and his crew absolutely have to waive two players, and they have to do it before 4:00 p.m. CT on October 19. No two-for-one trades are swooping in to save them, so the axe is definitely falling.
Veterans On The Chopping Block Or Priceless Trade Chips?
One way the Bucks could go is to just ditch the vets who aren’t part of the long-term plan. Forget Gary Trent Jr., because Milwaukee already has way too much dead money on the books. The real candidates here are Kyle Kuzma and Caris LeVert. These guys are the oldest on the roster, and cutting them might not hit the team hard on the court. But here’s the kicker: their expiring salaries, $20.3 million for Kuzma and $14.8 million for LeVert, are super valuable. Those contracts, especially if you sweeten them with draft picks or young players, could land the Bucks a real difference-maker at the trade deadline. Or, hey, maybe even more draft capital if they decide to take on some longer “bad” salary. It’s a tough trade-off: free up a spot now or keep valuable assets for a bigger move later.
The High-Stakes Gamble With Youth
The other path is cutting some of the younger guys who just haven’t found their footing or a clear role. Bogoljub Marković is a prime example here. He’s a developmental project on an inexpensive four-year, $9.3 million deal with a team option in the final year, making him a strong candidate for a cut. Then there’s Kasparas Jakučionis, whose name has been floated, but honestly, that seems pretty unlikely given how hard the Bucks fought to get him in the Giannis trade. But Kevin Porter Jr.? That’s where things get interesting and risky. He rejoined the Bucks by just exercising his $5.4 million player option, not by negotiating a new deal. He’s got a history of injuries, and it’s tough to see him bringing back much in a trade. Plus, that guard room in Milwaukee is absolutely packed. The twist is, Porter Jr. is also one of the most talented players on that roster. Cutting him isn’t just an easy choice, it comes with some serious on-court risk.
So, the pressure is on for Jon Horst and the Bucks. They’ve got until October 19 at 4:00 p.m. CT to figure out who’s in and who’s out. Every move they make here sets the tone for their season, and it’s going to be wild to see which players ultimately make the final roster.
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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