The Milwaukee Bucks are gearing up for their October 22 game against the Washington Wizards, but before they hit the court, a roster change has been made. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Bucks have decided to waive forward Chris Livingston. This move comes as the team faces a crunch to finalize its 15-man roster for the season.
Livingston, who was the last pick in the 2023 draft, had signed a guaranteed deal in the offseason. Despite the initial commitment, the Bucks opted to make a change. This article delves into the details of Livingston’s time with the Bucks, the reasons behind the decision, and the implications for the team’s roster moving forward. We’ll also explore how this move impacts other players vying for a spot on the Bucks’ roster and what it means for the team’s financial situation.
Stay tuned to understand the full scope of this roster adjustment and how it might influence the Bucks’ performance in the upcoming season.
How Did Livingston Do With The Milwaukee Bucks?
Chris Livingston’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks saw him appear in 42 NBA regular-season games. In those appearances, he posted career averages of 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest. His shooting percentage from the field was 40.8%. While these numbers might not jump off the page, Livingston was looking to improve and contribute where possible. The Bucks, however, felt they needed to adjust their roster to better suit their needs.
According to Brett Siegel, Andre Jackson Jr. will remain on the Bucks’ roster for now. The team cutting Chris Livingston, who signed a one-year minimum deal with the team in the offseason. Milwaukee will need to make another roster move if they want to keep Amir Coffey.
Andre Jackson Jr. will remain on the Bucks’ roster, for now, as the team instead cuts Chris Livingston, who signed a one-year minimum deal with the team in the offseason.
Milwaukee will need to make another roster move if they want to keep Amir Coffey.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA)
Bucks’ Performance Last Season
The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off a season where they secured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, boasting a 48-34 record. However, their playoff journey was cut short in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, who defeated them in five games. The team is eager to improve upon their performance from last season and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
With key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the addition of Myles Turner, the Bucks are aiming to be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. The decision to waive Livingston is part of a strategy to refine the roster and maximize their chances of success.
Financial Implications of Waiving Livingston
Waiving Chris Livingston means the Bucks will incur $2.3 million in dead money for this season. Despite this financial hit, the move opens the door for either Andre Jackson Jr. (whose contract is $800K guaranteed) or Amir Coffey (Exhibit 9 deal) to make the opening night roster. Currently, the Bucks are approximately $13.8M under the luxury tax.
According to Keith Smith, the Bucks will eat $2.3 million in dead money for Chris Livingston for this season. This opens the door for either Andre Jackson Jr. (contract is $800K guaranteed) or Amir Coffey (Exhibit 9 deal) to make the opening night roster. Bucks are currently ~$13.8M under the luxury tax.
Bucks will eat $2.3 million in dead money for Chris Livingston for this season.
This opens the door for either Andre Jackson Jr. (contract is $800K guaranteed) or Amir Coffey (Exhibit 9 deal) to make the opening night roster.
Bucks are currently ~$13.8M under the luxury tax.
— (@KeithSmithNBA)
The Bucks’ Talented Roster
Despite the waiving of Livingston, the Milwaukee Bucks still possess a very talented roster. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and bolstered by the addition of Myles Turner, the team is well-positioned for a competitive season. Their last appearance in the Eastern Conference finals was in 2021, where they clinched the NBA Championship, defeating the Phoenix Suns.
The Bucks are focused on building a team that can contend for a championship once again. Every roster move is evaluated with this goal in mind, and the decision to waive Livingston reflects this commitment to excellence.
Conclusion
The Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to waive Chris Livingston before their October 22 game against the Wizards marks a strategic move to refine their roster. Livingston’s contributions, though limited to 42 regular-season games with averages of 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds, were part of the team’s broader dynamics. This change allows the Bucks to explore other options, potentially giving Andre Jackson Jr. or Amir Coffey a chance to secure a spot on the opening night roster.
Financially, the Bucks will absorb $2.3 million in dead money, but this opens up opportunities to stay under the luxury tax threshold. With key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the addition of Myles Turner, the Bucks aim to build on their previous season’s performance and vie for another NBA Championship. This roster adjustment underscores the team’s commitment to making strategic decisions that align with their long-term goals.
Leave a Reply